Sam Bankman-Fried officially asks Trump for a presidential pardon

Sam Bankman-Fried, currently serving a 25-year prison sentence, officially requested a presidential pardon from Donald Trump on May 15, 2024. This petition leverages Trump's past actions of granting pardons to individuals involved in the cryptocurrency space. Bankman-Fried's legal team is reportedly hopeful that this precedent will influence Trump's decision, despite previous indications from the former president that Bankman-Fried should not expect clemency. The filing marks a significant step in Bankman-Fried's efforts to reduce his sentence following his conviction on fraud and conspiracy charges related to the collapse of FTX. The petition was filed with the Department of Justice, which will review it before making a recommendation to the President. This move comes after Bankman-Fried's sentencing in March 2024, where he received the lengthy prison term.