Trump Rules Out Pardon for FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Amid Ongoing Legal Appeals

• Trump rules out a pardon for Sam Bankman-Fried keeping the former FTX leader behind bars amid ongoing appeals.

• Bankman-Fried’s past political donations weaken his chances for clemency as Trump draws firm pardon boundaries.

• Trump defends crypto support while family business ties face scrutiny during debates on digital asset regulation.

President Donald Trump has ruled out pardoning former FTX chief Sam Bankman-Fried, keeping the incarcerated executive out of recent clemencies. The posting came through a long interview with The New York Times. It covered the topics of criminal justice, foreign policy, and the regulation of cryptocurrencies.

President Donald Trump told The New York Times that he has no plans to pardon former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF). SBF was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2023 on fraud and conspiracy charges and is currently appealing the conviction. He donated $5.2 million to the Biden…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 8, 2026

Bankman-Fried remains in federal custody while appealing his conviction. The decision narrows expectations around presidential intervention in major financial crime cases.

Pardon Lines Drawn During Broad Review

Trump reviewed several prominent names during the interview. The list included political figures, entertainment executives, and financial leaders. However, the president excluded Bankman-Fried from any consideration. The former Cryptocurrency executive continues to serve a lengthy prison term.

In 2023, a federal jury found Bankman-Fried guilty of conspiracy and fraud charges. He was accused by prosecutors of stealing billions of customer money. The fall of FTX initiated one of the biggest scandals in the digital asset history. Customers and investors suffered heavy losses.

A judge later sentenced Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison. The court also ordered significant financial penalties. However, last year, Bankman-Fried’s 25-year sentence was reduced by more than four years through good conduct and program credits.

Political History Shapes Clemency Outlook

The political donations made by Bankman-Fried in the past are one of the factors. He became one of the key contributors in the 2020 election cycle. It is recorded that millions of dollars have been channeled into Democratic campaigns. Those efforts supported opposition to Trump at the time.

Since his conviction, Bankman-Fried has maintained a limited public presence. Messages attributed to him appeared through a managed social media account. He commented on several high-profile pardons during the past year. Analysts viewed those remarks as attempts to reshape his public image.

Still, political alignment often influences pardon decisions. Prior opposition reduces the likelihood of executive relief. Prediction markets reflected that reality. Betting platforms showed minimal expectations for a pardon before 2027.

Crypto Support Meets Conflict Questions

Trump also defended his administration’s stance toward digital assets. He linked industry support to strong backing from voters. At the same time, lawmakers continue to scrutinize his family’s crypto interests. Those ties intersect with ongoing regulatory debates.

The Trump family holds stakes in several crypto ventures. These include a decentralized finance platform and a stablecoin project. They also own a significant interest in a Bitcoin mining firm. Trump has additionally promoted a personal memecoin.

Critics argue such connections raise conflict concerns. Supporters counter that industry involvement brings practical insight.

Appeals Move Forward as Sentences Differ

Bankman-Fried is still seeking legal redress, despite the slim chances of clemency. His lawyers have appealed the sentence and judgment. Arguments on the case have taken place in a federal appeals court. A decision remains pending. Sam Bankman-Fried recently stated that the company was never bankrupt.

Other ex-FTX executives were sentenced to lighter sentences. Some of them cooperated with prosecutors by plea bargains. Some now approach release or reentry programs. Their outcomes contrast sharply with Bankman-Fried’s punishment.

The case continues to influence discussions around crypto enforcement. It also underscores firm boundaries in presidential pardon policy.