Trump completely rejects pardoning SBF: The main figure in the biggest criminal case in the crypto industry sees their hopes of release shattered

US President Donald Trump made a clear statement in an interview with The New York Times: he will not consider pardoning FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF). This news essentially seals the fate for the crypto community that has been closely following the SBF case, signaling that the possibility of this former industry star being released early through a presidential pardon is virtually nonexistent.

Trump’s Clear Position

In the interview, Trump mentioned that when asked whether several high-profile incarcerated individuals might receive a presidential pardon, SBF was among those listed but was explicitly excluded. This is not a vague statement but a direct “no.”

It is worth noting that in recent years, Trump has exercised pardon powers for some political allies or individuals supporting his narrative of “judicial politicization,” but SBF is clearly not within this scope. Musician Diddy had also written to Trump requesting a pardon, which was similarly denied. This demonstrates a consistent stance from Trump on this issue.

Background of the SBF Case

In 2023, SBF was convicted on multiple charges including misappropriation of customer funds and financial fraud, becoming one of the most emblematic criminal cases in crypto history. This is not just a personal tragedy but a symbol of the trust crisis facing the entire industry. The collapse of FTX involved millions of users’ funds and dealt a severe blow to the reputation of the crypto market.

What This Means

No Hope for Early Release

In the foreseeable future, the possibility of SBF being released early through a presidential pardon is extremely low. His criminal liability and civil accountability processes will continue, meaning SBF will need to serve most of his sentence in prison.

Industry Compliance Discussions Will Persist

Trump’s stance sends an important signal: even in a relatively crypto-friendly political environment, there will be no political compromise on clear cases of fraud and misappropriation of customer funds. This will continue to drive in-depth discussions within the crypto industry regarding compliance, transparency, and investor protection.

The Delicate Relationship with Political Stances

Interestingly, SBF himself had previously posted from prison criticizing US media for “double standards,” contrasting the different treatment of various political figures. However, based on Trump’s statement, major fraud cases in crypto seem to transcend political considerations and have become a “consensus” — such crimes are not worth pardoning.

Future Developments

According to the latest news, SBF’s criminal and civil accountability processes will continue. This has two implications for the crypto industry: first, it reinforces the importance of compliance in the market; second, it completely dispels any illusions among those who once hoped for a “possible pardon.”

Summary

Trump’s explicit refusal to pardon SBF essentially sends a message to the crypto industry: regardless of political winds, acts of large-scale fraud and misappropriation of customer funds will not receive political mercy. This could be good news for the long-term healthy development of the industry — it signifies that the rule of law will not be compromised by political considerations. For SBF himself, this is the final verdict: his FTX empire has been thoroughly dismantled, and the dream of release is shattered.