SBF plans to launch his own cryptocurrency after release: bluff or real plan?
The founder of the collapsed FTX empire, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), currently serving a 25-year sentence in federal prison, continues to think in terms of cryptocurrency startups. According to exclusive data obtained during a conversation with cellmate David Bunevacz, SBF stated his intention to launch his own coin immediately after his release.
When asked about his plans for life after release, Bankman-Fried replied without a shadow of a doubt: "I'll launch my own coin — and everyone will flock to it." However, for a serious business, he said, startup capital of between 50 and 100 million dollars would be required. His interlocutor, however, was skeptical of these words, suggesting that SBF might have just been joking.
Behind bars, but still in the game
This episode vividly illustrates that even under strict isolation, Sam has not lost his penchant for bold statements and risky projects. At the same time, his reputation is completely destroyed: the collapse of FTX in November 2022 became one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history. Currently, SBF takes "Adderall" daily for clinical depression and attention deficit disorder, and is also writing prison memoirs titled Manfred.
Pardon: hopes and reality
On June 8, Bankman-Fried officially filed a petition for a pardon with the administration of Donald Trump. The "pardon after serving the sentence" format does not imply early release, but may restore some civil rights after the full term is completed. On the Polymarket prediction market, the probability of a pardon doubled after this news — to 14%. However, the chances remain low: Trump has publicly refused to pardon SBF, citing the scale of his crimes, although he previously granted amnesty to a number of other figures in the crypto industry.
My expert opinion: SBF's statements about launching his own coin are nothing more than an attempt to stay in the information space and draw attention to himself. Even if we hypothetically assume his release, investor trust in him is zero. Any project involving him will be perceived as a "toxic asset" and will face severe regulatory pressure. The market has long since delivered its verdict — and it is not in Bankman-Fried's favor.