Jailed crypto founder Sam Bankman-Fried seeks Trump pardon

Sam Bankman-Fried, the one-time giant in cryptocurrencies currently in prison for fraud, has applied for a pardon from President Donald Trump.

Bankman-Fried was given a 25-year sentence after he was convicted of multiple federal charges related to FTX, the cryptocurrency exchange that he founded and led, and its related company Alameda Research.

Just two years into that sentence, the 34-year-old former billionaire has now filed an application for pardon after completion of sentence to the Department of Justice, according to online records.

Should Bankman-Fried ultimately receive a pardon, his crimes would essentially be forgiven under the law.

A representative of the White House declined to comment. A lawyer for Bankman-Fried did not reply to a request for comment.

A "pardon after completion of sentence" would mean that Bankman-Fried's conviction on various counts of fraud would be forgiven after he serves his jail sentence.

He has not asked for a commutation, which is a shortening of a criminal sentence being served.

However, he is currently attempting to appeal against his sentence, and he has long maintained he is innocent.