The latest records in the U.S. Department of Justice's pardon database show an pending pardon application under the name of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. This record only indicates that the application has entered the database; it does not imply White House approval or indicate that the case is being actively pursued.
The database shows pending processing.
According to public records, this case is numbered P338490 and is marked "Pending". The application type is specified as "Pardon after Completion of Sentence", meaning an application for pardon after serving the sentence.
Sam Bankman-Fried is currently serving a sentence. He was previously sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his involvement in the FTX case, considered one of the largest financial fraud cases in the history of the crypto industry.
There are no signs of White House intervention.
Existing records show no indication that a pardon has been approved, nor is there any information suggesting the White House is reviewing the case. Under the U.S. pardon process, applications can remain in the database for years without any substantial progress.
The report also noted that it is currently unclear who submitted the application. Public information does not specify whether it was submitted by Bankman-Fried himself, his legal team, or by an external backer.
Accountability discussion triggered again
The timing of this application is quite sensitive. Recently, the issue of amnesty has sparked new political debates within the crypto industry, especially following the amnesty controversy surrounding Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, which has increased Washington's focus on accountability within the crypto sector.
Federal prosecutors previously accused Bankman-Fried of orchestrating the misappropriation of billions of dollars in client and investor funds before FTX's collapse. Following FTX's crash in November 2022, the case continues to influence U.S. political circles and public perception of the digital asset market.
If the discussion surrounding SBF's pardon continues to escalate, the debate in the market and political circles regarding the governance, compliance, and accountability of the crypto industry may intensify again.
