SBF speaks from prison: “Absolutely wants” a presidential pardon, missed the AI frenzy, and FTX can repay 170%, proving the prosecution was unfair..

According to the exclusive interview released today (8th) by Fox Business, former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), who is currently serving time in federal prison, has spoken out for the first time, openly stating that he "absolutely" wants to receive a presidential pardon. He insists he has never stolen user funds and criticizes his prosecution as extremely unjust, citing an expected recovery rate of up to 170% during bankruptcy proceedings as evidence.

(Background summary: SBF calls for judicial fairness, withdraws written motion: does not trust Judge Kaplan’s fairness, requests a replacement to continue direct appeals)

(Additional background: Trump pardons 250 people to "celebrate America's 250th anniversary"! SBF, Samourai founder, Tornado Cash cry out for clemency)

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• Hope for Trump pardon, persuades parents to keep quiet
• Insists he did not steal money, condemns harsh sentencing as "extremely unfair"
• Regrets missing the AI boom in prison, praises Musk

The co-founder of FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), who once dominated the cryptocurrency market but is now behind bars, continues to seek opportunities for redemption despite his imprisonment. In March 2024, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison on seven felony charges including wire fraud and conspiracy. However, according to an exclusive phone interview published by Fox Business reporter Susan Li on June 8, 2026, SBF still attempts to speak out through the media, vigorously defending his innocence and placing hope for freedom on political clemency.

Hope for Trump pardon, persuades parents to keep quiet

During the interview, when asked whether he expects the White House to intervene with a pardon, SBF replied without hesitation: "Absolutely." But he also added that the final decision still depends on the President (widely believed to be targeting Trump), not himself. When asked whether his parents or other confidants are actively lobbying in Washington for him, SBF chose to remain silent, only modestly responding: "I cannot speak for them."

Insists he did not steal money, condemns harsh sentencing as "extremely unfair"

Although the court found that the collapse of FTX caused nearly $10 billion in losses to customers and investors (including about $8 billion in customer losses and $1.7 billion in equity investor losses), SBF still insists during the interview that he "did not steal user funds." He shifted focus to the current progress of FTX’s bankruptcy liquidation, pointing out that thanks to the strong rebound in the cryptocurrency market, customers are expected to receive approximately 170% in excess compensation during the bankruptcy process.

SBF emphasized that FTX is one of the few bankruptcy cases that achieved "over-collateralization," allowing customers to recover more than their principal. Based on this, he believes that the charges and harsh sentences initially brought against him are "unfair," and even criticized the three-year-long bankruptcy judicial process as the main cause of "huge harm" to customers.

Regrets missing the AI boom in prison, praises Musk

Besides discussing his own case, SBF also shared his views on current technological trends. He admitted that he deeply regrets missing out on the recent AI investment boom due to being incarcerated. He had originally planned to participate heavily in the AI field through the FTX platform and his personal venture capital fund, but now finds himself powerless in prison.

Additionally, he specifically praised tech mogul Elon Musk during the interview, highly optimistic about SpaceX’s future potential. Analysts believe that SBF’s remarks seem to be a strategic attempt to curry favor with these influential figures in politics and business through the media, laying the groundwork for his eventual clemency.