Sam Bankman-Fried plans to launch his own token after release — a new adventure or a brilliant move?
The former head of the collapsed FTX exchange, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), is not wasting time even while incarcerated. According to information obtained from his cellmates and close associates, he is seriously discussing launching his own cryptocurrency token after his release. This statement, made in correspondence with former inmate David Bunevacz, sounds like another grandiose plan, but should it be dismissed outright?
When asked about future projects, SBF replied that to "make serious money," he would need between $50 and $100 million. He mentioned a cryptocurrency initiative that, in his words, "everyone will flock to." Bunevacz, however, was skeptical of these remarks: "Maybe he was joking, and probably no one will flock to him. But who knows." Yet for analysts, something else matters: the very fact that SBF views cryptocurrency as a tool for recovery speaks to his fierce belief in this market.
Currently, Bankman-Fried is serving a 25-year sentence, having spent only two years in prison. He is actively seeking early release or a reduced sentence. In June, an appeals court rejected his request for a case review, but this has not stopped him or his team. SBF's parents have hired Republican consultants Brian Lanza and Corey Langhofer for lobbying, while the former FTX head himself is trying to cultivate an image as a Donald Trump supporter. In 2025, he even organized an unauthorized video interview from prison with Tucker Carlson, for which he was briefly placed in solitary confinement.
Interestingly, SBF takes daily medication for clinical depression and ADHD, and is writing memoirs titled "Manfred." His mother, Barbara Fried, is also actively lobbying for her son's release, but the judge has already ordered her to stop excessive calls to his chambers. Prosecutors have even noted suspicious activity: one petition was allegedly sent via FedEx from an area near SBF's mother's home.
Recall that in October 2025, Bankman-Fried claimed that FTX was solvent at the time of its collapse, with $25 billion in assets and $13 billion in liabilities. If true, his confidence in the success of a new project may have a real basis.
My Analysis
The idea of launching a token by a man who destroyed one of the largest crypto exchanges looks like a provocation. But let's not forget: SBF has always known how to attract attention and capital. If he does secure funding, the market could see another meme coin or utility token that trades purely on speculation. However, trust in his name is currently near zero, and any project under his leadership will face enormous regulatory and reputational pressure. I would advise investors to treat these rumors with extreme caution — the risk of a repeat of the FTX story is too great.