The U.S. Senate unanimously opposes the pardon of Sam Bankman-Fried: the resolution as a political signal
U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ruben Gallego have introduced a joint resolution aimed against a possible presidential pardon for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. This document is a step that, while not legally binding, is highly indicative. It demonstrates a bipartisan consensus on accountability for the largest fraud in the history of the crypto industry.
Why the resolution is serious
Let me remind you that in 2023, a jury found Bankman-Fried guilty on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy. Judge Lewis Kaplan sentenced him to 25 years in prison and ordered him to pay $11 billion. According to the prosecution, the scheme deprived FTX clients of more than $8 billion. On April 28, 2026, Judge Kaplan denied a request for a retrial, and last week, a federal appeals court upheld the verdict and sentence.
In the text of the resolution, the senators directly state: "The 25-year sentence corresponds to the exceptional scale and deliberateness of his crimes, his lack of remorse, and the catastrophic harm to millions of victims — this sentence aligns with the principles of justice." These are not just words — they are a clear signal to the White House.
Political context and defense attempts
Sam Bankman-Fried has already filed a pardon request with the Office of the Pardon Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice. His application is under review. Notably, the former FTX head openly supported Donald Trump on social media, and his parents, according to press reports, are actively lobbying for a pardon through lawyers connected to Trump's team.
However, in January, Trump himself ruled out the possibility of a pardon for Bankman-Fried. If the sentence remains in effect, he will only be released in 2044.
Interestingly, according to reports, after his release, Bankman-Fried plans to launch his own crypto token. This suggests that he is not giving up attempts to stay in the game, despite all the consequences.
My comment: The senators' resolution is an important precedent. It shows that the American establishment is ready to harshly punish manipulations in the crypto sphere, regardless of political connections. For the market, this is a signal: the era of impunity in crypto is ending. Regulators and lawmakers will no longer turn a blind eye to outright fraud, even if its scale is measured in billions.