Bankman-Fried marks 33 years in prison

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of the defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX (CRYPTO:FTT), recently celebrated his 33rd birthday while serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud and conspiracy.

In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Bankman-Fried described life in prison as "sort of dystopian," noting that he spends his time reading novels, playing chess, and working on his legal case.

Bankman-Fried is currently housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he shares a facility with rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs, who faces charges related to sex trafficking.

Bankman-Fried described Combs as "kind" and noted that both are in a situation no one wishes to be in.

The former FTX CEO was found guilty in late 2023 on multiple counts of fraud and money laundering, with prosecutors labeling his actions as "one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history."

Despite his conviction, Bankman-Fried maintains his innocence.

"I don't think I'm a criminal," he stated.

Bankman-Fried's legal team has filed an appeal, and there are reports that his parents are seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.

During his interview, Bankman-Fried also discussed his political affiliations, suggesting he had good relationships with both Democrats and Republicans before his conviction.

The collapse of FTX led to significant financial losses for its customers and has been a major focus of regulatory scrutiny in the cryptocurrency sector.