The U.S. Senate has united in opposition to the pardon of Sam Bankman-Fried: a resolution has been introduced.
Washington is demonstrating rare bipartisan unity on an issue that has shaken the entire crypto community. Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ruben Gallego have officially introduced a joint resolution directly targeting the possibility of a presidential pardon for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. This document is not just a political statement, but a powerful signal that Congress has no intention of turning a blind eye to the scale of the financial catastrophe orchestrated by SBF.
It is important to understand: this resolution does not have direct legal force and cannot block a presidential decision. However, it crystal-clear demonstrates the Senate's position. The text of the document emphasizes that the 25-year prison sentence imposed by Judge Lewis Kaplan is fully proportionate to the "exceptional scale and deliberateness of Bankman-Fried's crimes," as well as the "catastrophic harm to millions of victims." It is worth recalling that the verdict was handed down on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy, with losses to FTX customers exceeding $8 billion.
Political Background and Amnesty Attempts
Bankman-Fried himself has already filed an official pardon request with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of the Pardon Attorney, and it is under review. His parents are actively lobbying for their son, having hired lawyers connected to Donald Trump's circle. SBF himself has openly supported Trump on social media in the past. However, the president has previously ruled out the possibility of pardoning the former FTX head. If the sentence stands, Bankman-Fried will not be released until 2044.
Against this backdrop, rumors are also circulating that after his release, SBF plans to launch a new crypto token. This seems at least premature, given that his case has become a symbol of the collapse of trust in centralized exchanges.
Cryptalist Analysis: The Lummis and Gallego resolution is a precedent. It shows that even amid political polarization, crimes in the crypto industry that have affected millions of retail investors will not be forgiven. This is a sobering signal for anyone hoping for "indulgence" through political connections. The crypto market is maturing, and with it, the consequences for abusing trust are tightening.