Sam Bankman-Fried Formally Applies for Trump Pardon Despite Earlier Rejection

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has formally filed for a presidential pardon from President Trump, according to Decrypt. The application was submitted even though Trump had previously ruled out pardoning him.

The development matters because Bankman-Fried remains one of the most recognizable figures tied to crypto’s biggest corporate collapse. Any formal pardon effort connected to the FTX founder is likely to draw attention across the digital asset industry, where the exchange’s failure continues to shape public perception of crypto companies and their leaders.

The source report does not say whether the pardon request has advanced, whether the White House has responded, or what arguments were included in the filing. It also does not indicate any change in Trump’s earlier position.

For now, the key update is procedural: Bankman-Fried has filed the request, despite the president’s prior rejection of the idea. Further developments would depend on whether the administration chooses to revisit the matter.