SBF is making plans for freedom: launching his own coin and seeking a pardon from Trump
The founder of the collapsed FTX empire, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), who is serving a 25-year sentence, continues to think big even behind bars. According to information that has become public, the 34-year-old entrepreneur is not only battling depression and attention deficit disorder by taking Adderall but is also writing prison memoirs titled Manfred. However, the most intriguing part is his plans for life after release.
In a conversation with fellow inmate David Bunevacz, SBF shared an ambitious idea: he intends to launch his own cryptocurrency. According to him, to make "serious money," he would need startup capital of $50–100 million. The sum is certainly impressive, but for someone who handled billions, it doesn't seem fantastical. Bunevacz, however, was skeptical about the statement, suggesting that SBF might have been joking. "It's unlikely anyone would jump on that coin, but you can't say for sure," he noted.
This episode vividly illustrates that even after the collapse of FTX and the complete destruction of his reputation, Bankman-Fried continues to think in terms of cryptocurrency launches and large capital. His words come against the backdrop of one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history, making them both ironic and telling.
Chances of a Pardon: Polymarket Odds and Trump's Stance
In parallel, on June 8, SBF officially filed a clemency petition with the administration of Donald Trump. This involves a "post-sentence pardon" format, which does not imply early release but could restore some civil rights after the full sentence is served.
Interestingly, after this news, the probability of a pardon on the Polymarket prediction market doubled, reaching 14%. However, the chances remain low. Trump has publicly refused to pardon Bankman-Fried, citing the scale of the FTX fraud, although he has previously pardoned several other figures from the crypto industry. Thus, SBF appears to be betting on the political climate, but his plans to launch his own coin seem more like a fantasy than a realistic business plan.
Expert opinion: SBF's idea to launch a new cryptocurrency after release is not just bravado but a reflection of the psychology of a serial entrepreneur who cannot think outside the framework of "quick money" and tokenomics. However, given his criminal record and complete loss of trust, raising $50–100 million for such a project would be nearly impossible. Even if the coin does appear, the market would likely greet it with extreme hostility.