Interesting Statements from Sam Bankman-Fried at the Live Hearing: “I Didn’t Know I Shouldn’t Use Client Funds”

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is currently facing seven charges related to fraud and collusion and is entering a plea at trial.

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is currently facing seven charges related to fraud and collusion.

These charges include wire fraud on FTX customers, conspiracy to commit wire fraud on FTX customers, conspiracy to commit wire fraud on creditors to Alameda Research, conspiracy to commit securities fraud on investors in FTX, conspiracy to commit wire fraud on FTX customers, cryptocurrency and conspiracy to commit commodity fraud in connection with exchange trades and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

In her testimony during the hearing, Bankman-Fried stated that she believed Alameda, FTX’s sister company, could borrow money from the exchange’s customer funds under many circumstances under FTX’s terms of service.

When asked by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan if she had read the entire terms of service document, Bankman-Fried admitted that she had only read some parts in depth and skimmed others.

Bankman-Fried’s defense team requested an acquittal from the judge presiding over the case. Lawyers argue that prosecutors did not present enough evidence to prove the charges. FBI agent Mark Troiano, the government’s final witness, testified that many of the Signal messages between Bankman-Fried and his inner circle had an automatic deletion function. Prosecutors allege this function was used by Bankman-Fried to cover up discussions of the alleged crimes.

*This is not investment advice.