TLDR
- Sam Bankman-Fried officially filed a presidential pardon petition.
- The clemency request is listed as pending by the Justice Department.
- SBF is serving a 25-year sentence for fraud and conspiracy convictions.
- Trump previously said he had no plans to pardon Bankman-Fried.
- Bankman-Fried is pursuing both an appeal and a pardon request.
Former FTX Chief Executive Officer Sam Bankman-Fried has formally submitted a request for a presidential pardon as he continues serving a 25-year federal prison sentence for fraud and conspiracy convictions tied to the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX.
The clemency application was officially recorded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Pardon Attorney, where the case is currently listed as pending. The filing marks the most direct step yet in Bankman-Fried’s effort to secure presidential relief while simultaneously pursuing an appeal of his criminal conviction.
Bankman-Fried, 34, was convicted in 2023 on multiple charges related to the misuse of customer funds at FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange that filed for bankruptcy in November 2022. Federal prosecutors argued that billions of dollars belonging to customers were improperly diverted, leading to one of the largest failures in the digital asset sector.
BREAKING: FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried formally applies for a pardon from President Trump. pic.twitter.com/axyvecOxxk
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) June 8, 2026
The former executive is currently incarcerated at a low-security federal correctional facility in Santa Barbara, California, according to records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. His prison sentence totals 25 years following the verdict handed down after his criminal trial.
Clemency Petition Moves Through Federal Review Process
The Office of the Pardon Attorney confirmed through its public records system that Bankman-Fried’s application has entered the review process. Cases listed as pending indicate that a formal clemency petition has been received and remains under consideration.
A presidential pardon would require approval from President Donald Trump. The filing comes despite previous comments from Trump indicating that clemency for the former FTX executive is not currently under consideration.
Earlier this year, Trump stated during an interview with The New York Times that he had no plans to pardon Bankman-Fried. Following renewed attention surrounding the clemency request, a White House spokesperson referred to those earlier remarks when asked about the matter.
Bankman-Fried has publicly acknowledged his interest in obtaining a pardon. During a recent interview with FOX Business, he responded affirmatively when asked whether he wanted presidential clemency, while noting that the decision ultimately rests with the president.
The pardon effort is proceeding separately from Bankman-Fried’s ongoing appeal. His legal team continues to challenge aspects of the conviction through the federal court system while the clemency request follows its own administrative review path within the Justice Department.
Public Outreach and Political Positioning
Over the past year, Bankman-Fried has maintained a public presence through approved communication channels and social media activity conducted through intermediaries. Several statements have drawn attention because they aligned with positions associated with the Trump administration.
Among those comments were remarks supporting certain administration policies and decisions involving federal agencies and foreign policy matters. Bankman-Fried has also publicly praised previous presidential pardons granted to prominent individuals.
The outreach has attracted attention within both political and cryptocurrency circles because Trump has issued pardons to several notable figures connected to the digital asset industry. Since returning to office, the president has granted clemency to Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, former Binance Chief Executive Officer Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as CZ, and the co-founders of cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX.
Bankman-Fried’s parents, Stanford Law School professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, have also reportedly explored avenues for securing support for a pardon request. Public information has not confirmed whether any direct meetings or discussions with White House officials occurred regarding the application.
The former executive has declined to discuss details of any efforts undertaken by family members on his behalf, although reports have indicated that outreach efforts have taken place since his conviction.
FTX Collapse Remains Central To Case
The pardon request arrives nearly four years after the collapse of FTX, which was once among the largest cryptocurrency exchanges globally. The company entered bankruptcy proceedings in November 2022 after concerns emerged regarding financial relationships between FTX and affiliated trading firm Alameda Research.
Subsequent investigations identified an estimated $8 billion shortfall connected to customer funds, triggering regulatory actions, criminal prosecutions, and extensive bankruptcy proceedings.
Federal prosecutors successfully argued that customer assets were improperly used, resulting in charges that ultimately led to Bankman-Fried’s conviction on fraud and conspiracy counts. The verdict became one of the most closely watched legal outcomes in the cryptocurrency industry.
At present, Bankman-Fried remains in federal custody while both his appeal and presidential pardon request continue through separate channels. The Justice Department’s clemency review process remains ongoing, and no timetable has been announced regarding potential action on the application.
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