Sam Bankman-Fried’s Legal Team Pushes for New Trial
In a high-stakes legal battle, Sam Bankman-Fried, the once-renowned CEO of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, is seeking a retrial. His legal team presented oral arguments in Manhattan on November 4, 2025, claiming that he faced a biased court during his original conviction in 2022. These latest developments have sent ripples through the crypto and legal communities alike.
Defense Points to Judicial Bias
In court documents filed in September 2024, Bankman-Fried’s lawyers argued that he was “presumed guilty” even before the trial started. They claim the district court demonstrated a lack of objectivity, citing statements and actions by the judge that allegedly swayed the jury’s perspective. For example, the defense highlighted instances where the judge made biting comments that diminished the credibility of the defense argument in front of the jury. Such actions, they argue, compromised their client’s right to a fair trial.
The Original Verdict
Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted of criminal fraud in November 2022. The charges were tied to a massive fraud scheme that ultimately drained FTX investors of an estimated $8 billion. During the initial trial, several of Bankman-Fried’s former associates, including Gary Wang (FTX’s Chief Technical Officer), Nishad Singh (Head of Engineering), and Caroline Ellison (former CEO of Alameda Research), testified against him. Despite his defense, the court sentenced him to 25 years in federal prison in 2024—a sentence reflecting the enormous scale of the financial fraud.
Political Allegations Add Glare to the Case
Adding a layer of complexity, Bankman-Fried took to social media platform GETTR last month, claiming that his arrest and prosecution were politically motivated. Per his post, the Biden administration allegedly orchestrated his arrest before he could testify on a crypto bill he was drafting. However, these allegations remain speculative and have yet to gain traction in the courts.
Implications for the Crypto Community
The case continues to be a focal point for the cryptocurrency industry, raising concerns about the lack of regulation and the legal risks entrepreneurs in the sector might face. It also highlights the importance of transparent leadership and safeguarding investor interests.
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