The founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX has been released on $250 million bail while he awaits trial on fraud charges
Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has been released on bail of $250 million while he awaits trial on fraud charges following the collapse of the exchange. Federal prosecutors have accused the 30-year-old entrepreneur of stealing billions of dollars in FTX customer funds to plug losses at his hedge fund, Alameda Research. He was not asked to enter a plea as he appeared at Manhattan federal court.
Sam Bankman-Fried was worth several billion dollars earlier this year due to the success of FTX, but concerns about commingling of fund between FTX and his hedge fund Alameda led to the exchange’s bankruptcy in November
After Bankman-Fried co-founded FTX in 2019 aged just 27, the values of bitcoin and other digital assets propelled the exchange to a valuation of some $32 billion earlier this year, making the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) graduate a billionaire several times over, as well as an influential donor to US political campaigns. But concerns about commingling of funds between FTX and Alameda led to a flurry of customer withdrawals in early November, ultimately forcing the exchange to declare bankruptcy on November 11. Bankman-Fried later said at a New York Times conference that he had just $100,000 in his bank account.
Bankman-Fried’s bail conditions include strict pre-trial supervision, with electronic monitoring and a ban on opening new lines of credit or businesses
Bankman-Fried was surrounded by photographers on Thursday as he exited the court: he sported facial stubble and a grey suit – a far cry for the shorts and t-shirt he became notorious for wearing in public appearances while running FTX. His next court date is set for January 3, before US District Judge Ronny Abrams, who will handle the case. Mr Gorenstein set Bankman-Fried’s bail conditions to strict pre-trial supervision, with conditions including electronic monitoring via a device to be fitted before the defendant left court, as well as a ban on opening new lines of credit or businesses.
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