Sam Bankman-Fried Recommends SOL in Jail — But Caroline Ellison “Looks Nasty”

Key Takeaways

• Interview with ex-inmate “G-Lock” sheds light on Bankman-Fried’s personality and experiences behind bars.
• G-Lock reveals details like SBF facing extortion but also finding camaraderie among inmates.
• Inmate admires SBF and suggests a pardon, drawing comparisons to Bernie Madoff.

A week after the public  saw former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried behind bars, cryptocurrency influencer Tiffany Fong took to the media to share an exclusive interview.

This discussion wasn’t with Bankman-Fried himself but rather with one of his fellow inmates, offering a unique perspective on the high-profile figure’s life behind bars.

“G-Lock” Sheds Light on Sam Bankman-Fried’s Prison Life

Tiffany Fong’s recent interview  with “G-Lock,” a former inmate and friend of Sam Bankman-Fried, gives insights into the personality and prison experience of the disgraced former billionaire.

Released after serving five years, G-Lock described  Bankman-Fried, as “a different kind of guy… he’s odd”. However, he added that despite SBF’s peculiarities, he’s a “good guy.”

In a correctional facility that rarely deals with with white-collar criminals, the former FTX boss stood out. G-Lock recounted  an incident where Bankman-Fried faced extortion, leading to fellow inmates defending him by confronting the extortionist.

This act of solidarity highlights the complex dynamics within prison walls, especially for those unaccustomed to its environment.

Inmates React to Caroline Ellison’s Image on “60 Minutes”

During an interview, “G-Lock,” also shared his candid view of Caroline Ellison, the ex-CEO of Alameda Research and Bankman-Fried’s reported romantic interest.

G-Lock remarked , “She looks nasty,” reflecting a sentiment broadly shared among inmates who viewed the “60 Minutes” episode featuring SBF’s biographer, Michael Lewis.

However, G-Lock acknowledged Bankman-Fried’s attraction to Ellison might have extended beyond mere physical appearances.

Life Behind Bars: Bankman-Fried’s New Routine and Call for Pardon

Bankman-Fried, according to his prison mate, has adopted a distinctive lifestyle in detention. This, he said, include not showering and sporting a full beard. Limited to a tablet devoid of internet access, Bankman-Fried spends a significant amount of time playing video games and has shown remarkable skill in ping-pong.

Despite the lack of privacy common to all inmates, he has been noted for his helpful demeanor. However, Bankman-Fried’s financial advice seems out of touch. He made a suggestion on how to turn $5,000 into $1 million, bypassing the more modest goal of $25,000.

G-Lock, expressing admiration for Bankman-Fried, controversially suggested that President Joe Biden should pardon him. Although he said the FTX founder was “the modern-day Bernie Madoff“, G-Lock also argued he didn’t warrant a severe sentence. With Bankman-Fried’s sentencing scheduled for March 28, 2024, where he faces the possibility of decades in prison, G-Lock’s parting words were a plea: “Free my boy Sam Bankman… he’s innocent.”

Bankman-Fried Engages Jail Staff with Crypto Insights

Despite facing legal challenges and an uncertain future, Bankman-Fried remains actively involved in the cryptocurrency world, even from behind bars.

He has been reportedly discussing trends  in the crypto market with detention center staff and offering them investment tips, particularly in Solana.

This behavior underscores his ongoing commitment to the cryptocurrency industry, highlighting his efforts to stay connected and share his knowledge, even while incarcerated.

About the Author

Teuta Franjkovic

Teuta is a seasoned writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. She has expertise in covering macroeconomics and technology as well as the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries. She has worked for several publications as a journalist and editor, including Forbes, Bloomberg, CoinTelegraph, Coin Rivet, CoinSpeaker, VRWorld and Arcane Bear. Teuta began her professional career in 2005, working as a lifestyle writer at Cosmopolitan in Croatia. From there, she branched out to several other publications, covering mainly business and the economy. She then turned her attention to the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, believing that crypto is among the most important inventions in the history of humanity. Her involvement in fintech began in 2014 and she has since lent her expertise in writing, editing and gathering information about the world of crypto, blockchain, NFTs and Web3. An all-round news hound, mentor, editor, and writer, Teuta enjoys teamwork and good communication. She holds a WSET2 diploma and has a thing for chablis, punkrock music and shoes. She also holds a double MA in Political science and Entrepreneurship.

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