Sam Bankman-Fried Files Formal Pardon Request with Trump Administration
A federal appeals court unanimously upheld Sam Bankman-Fried's fraud conviction and 25-year prison sentence on June 12, 2026, the same week he formally filed a presidential pardon request with the Department of Justice. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the government's evidence against the FTX founder 'conservatively stated, robust,' rejecting his claim that the trial was unfair due to improper evidentiary rulings. The twin developments leave Bankman-Fried with few remaining legal options, as Trump has previously stated he has no intention of pardoning him.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan issued a unanimous 42-page ruling on June 12, 2026, upholding Sam Bankman-Fried's 2023 conviction on seven felony counts — including wire fraud, securities fraud, commodities fraud, and money laundering — and his 25-year prison sentence. The three-judge panel, with Circuit Judge Barrington Parker writing the opinion, rejected Bankman-Fried's argument that trial judge Lewis Kaplan had improperly limited his ability to present evidence supporting his belief that FTX held sufficient funds to cover customer withdrawals, ruling that 'FTX customers were defrauded as soon as Bankman-Fried transferred their money to Alameda regardless of how strongly he believed he might later return the money.' Earlier in the same week, DOJ records revealed that Bankman-Fried had formally filed a request for a 'pardon after completion of sentence' — not a commutation — with the Office of the Pardon Attorney, a petition that remains listed as pending. Trump said in January 2026 that he had no intention of pardoning Bankman-Fried, though the president has granted pardons to other crypto-linked figures including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao and Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht. Bankman-Fried, who has maintained his innocence and conducted media appearances from prison including an interview with Tucker Carlson, may still seek a rehearing before the full 2nd Circuit or petition the Supreme Court. He is currently held at a low-security federal prison near Santa Barbara, California, and is eligible for release in 2044.
What's missing
The specific terms or conditions under which a 'pardon after completion of sentence' would affect his $11 billion forfeiture order — as distinct from his criminal record — have not been fully addressed across the sources.
How coverage differed
Most outlets reported the facts neutrally, but The Independent and Engadget used more editorializing language — describing Bankman-Fried as a 'disgraced crypto king' and accusing him of trying to 'weasel out of responsibility' — while center-right outlets like the Washington Examiner and New York Post focused more heavily on the legal details of the appeal ruling without similar characterizations.
What different sources said
- CNBCCenter
Convicted FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried files formal request for Trump pardon
- BBCCenter
Jailed crypto founder Sam Bankman-Fried seeks Trump pardon
- The IndependentLeft
Disgraced crypto king Sam Bankman-Fried officially asks Trump for a pardon
- The HillCenter
Sam Bankman-Fried applied for Trump pardon
- FortuneCenter
Sam Bankman-Fried formally files for pardon—but White House reiterates that FTX cofounder’s odds are slim
- SemaforCenter
Sam Bankman-Fried seeks Trump pardon
- EngadgetCenter
Sam Bankman-Fried formally applies for a pardon
- ReutersCenter
Sam Bankman-Fried loses bid to overturn crypto fraud conviction
- Hacker NewsCenter
Appeals court upholds FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried's fraud conviction
- Al JazeeraLeft
Sam Bankman-Fried loses appeal to overturn fraud convictions and prison
- ForbesCenter
Disgraced FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Loses Appeal Of 25-Year Sentence
- The Guardian USLeft
Sam Bankman-Fried loses bid to appeal against fraud conviction in FTX case
- The Straits TimesCenter
Sam Bankman-Fried loses bid to overturn crypto fraud conviction
- New York PostRight
Sam Bankman-Fried loses bid to overturn crypto fraud conviction, 25-year prison sentence
- Washington ExaminerRight
Appeals court upholds fraud conviction of Sam Bankman-Fried
- UPICenter
Appeals court denies former crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried
- ABC NewsCenter
Sam Bankman-Fried loses appeal of fraud conviction in FTX case
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