Trump Says He Will Not Pardon FTX Founder Sam Bankman‑Fried
U.S. President Donald Trump told The New York Times he will not grant a presidential pardon to Sam Bankman‑Fried (SBF), the former FTX CEO convicted in March 2024 and serving a 25‑year sentence for fraud connected to the FTX collapse. The statement follows reports that SBF’s parents sought a pardon in 2025 and comes after Trump previously issued clemencies for other crypto figures. Trump also said he would refuse clemency for several other high‑profile individuals. For traders, the refusal removes a near‑term political catalyst that might have affected sentiment around FTX‑linked claims, token recoveries and reputational narratives. SBF remains in custody while his legal team pursues appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and potentially the Supreme Court; outcomes could still change under future administrations. Key SEO keywords: Sam Bankman‑Fried, presidential pardon, FTX, crypto regulation, legal risk.
Neutral
The announcement that President Trump will not pardon Sam Bankman‑Fried is unlikely to move markets materially for crypto assets directly tied to FTX in the immediate term. Traders often price in legal and political uncertainty; a potential pardon would have been a distinct bullish catalyst for any recovery-linked tokens or claim sentiment because it could accelerate release or settlement prospects. Conversely, the refusal preserves the status quo: SBF stays incarcerated while appeals and civil claims proceed, maintaining uncertainty but removing a short‑term upside political event. Short term: neutral to mildly negative for FTX‑related recovery narratives because one possible path to faster resolution is closed. Long term: limited impact on major crypto tokens (e.g., BTC, ETH) unless further legal developments change asset recoveries or creditor outcomes. Market reaction will hinge more on bankruptcy proceedings, settlement developments, or appellate rulings than on this pardon decision alone.