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The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump has no plans to pardon former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried.
Author: Sahil Thakur
Steady attention without excessive speculation.
25th February 2026 – The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump has no plans to pardon former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, shutting down speculation that recent public messaging from the imprisoned crypto executive could influence the administration.
A White House official reiterated that Trump has no intention of granting clemency. The confirmation followed earlier reporting that a pardon is not under consideration.
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Chris
@ChrisVIEXD
@AltcoinDaily Sad Story Bro https://t.co/J1UXXyM1qs
TODAY: President Trump reiterates he will not pardon Sam Bankman-Fried, according to the White House. https://t.co/NeEr9rY0gQ
08:00 PM·Feb 24, 2026
Gegas0r
@GeorgeKcb350
@MartiniGuyYT I think he deserves to be where he is
THE WHITE HOUSE JUST CONFIRMED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL NOT PARDON SAM BANKMAN-FRIED. https://t.co/7vozjmidw2
04:36 PM·Feb 24, 2026
SUMEX | Web3 SuperApp
@Sumex_Labs
@MartiniGuyYT crypto lore didn’t need a redemption speedrun anyway
THE WHITE HOUSE JUST CONFIRMED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL NOT PARDON SAM BANKMAN-FRIED. https://t.co/7vozjmidw2
04:32 PM·Feb 24, 2026
In recent weeks, Bankman-Fried has posted frequently on X from prison, often addressing politics and revisiting his criminal case.
He has:
Notably, he has not explicitly asked for a pardon. However, observers widely interpret the tone of his posts as an attempt to align politically with the current administration.
His latest post reshared a Trump Truth Social message about the Olympics alongside a stylized image of himself.
President Trump previously told The New York Times in January that he had no plans to pardon Bankman-Fried. He also ruled out clemency for Nicolás Maduro and former Senator Robert Menendez in that interview.
While Trump has pardoned high-profile figures connected to crypto, including former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao and Silk Road operator Ross Ulbricht, Bankman-Fried’s case appears different.
One key political factor may weigh heavily: Bankman-Fried donated $5.2 million to support Joe Biden in 2020 and was one of the largest donors opposing Trump during that cycle.
Bankman-Fried was convicted in 2023 on multiple fraud and conspiracy charges for misappropriating billions in customer funds from FTX.
Prosecutors described the scheme as one of the largest financial frauds of the past decade. Comparisons were made to Bernie Madoff.
He is currently serving a 25-year federal prison sentence.
Meanwhile:
For now, his legal options remain limited.
Key milestones following Sam Bankman-Fried’s sentencing and reported pardon efforts
Sam Bankman-Fried is sentenced in New York to 25 years in federal prison for fraud and conspiracy related to the collapse of FTX, with billions in forfeiture ordered.
His legal team formally initiates the appeals process, challenging aspects of the trial and sentencing while he begins serving his sentence in federal custody.
Media reports indicate that individuals close to Bankman-Fried explore the possibility of seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, including outreach to figures viewed as politically aligned with the administration.
Statements and communications attributed to Bankman-Fried begin circulating publicly, widely interpreted as an effort to reshape his image amid ongoing appeals and reported pardon discussions.
President Donald Trump publicly states he is not considering a pardon for Bankman-Fried, effectively closing the door on clemency in the near term.
Bankman-Fried’s legal team continues pursuing appellate relief and additional post-conviction motions as he serves his sentence in federal prison.
The confirmation about Bankman-Fried comes as the Trump administration navigates broader legal and economic developments.
Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s use of emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose global tariffs was unconstitutional.
In response, the administration:
These investigations could take months to conclude and may lead to additional tariffs.
Markets have reacted cautiously. Major indexes declined amid uncertainty over how aggressively Trump will reimplement protectionist measures under alternative legal authorities.
At the same time, legal tension within the crypto sector continues to build.
The Terraform wind-down trust has filed suit against Jane Street, alleging that the firm used non-public information during the TerraUSD collapse in 2022. If proven, the case could shape future interpretations of insider trading within decentralized finance.
Together, these developments highlight an environment of legal scrutiny across both traditional and crypto markets.
Despite Sam Bankman-Fried’s recent public messaging and apparent political repositioning, the White House has made it clear: no pardon is currently planned.
Given his conviction, lengthy sentence, and prior financial support for Trump’s political opponent, his clemency prospects remain slim.
For now, Bankman-Fried continues pursuing appeals through the courts rather than relying on presidential intervention.
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