Key highlights:
- Sam Bankman-Fried publicly expressed support for Donald Trump on X shortly after Caroline Ellison’s release from prison.
- He criticized regulatory decisions under the Biden administration, including Gary Gensler’s leadership at the SEC.
- Market observers speculate that the posts may be linked to efforts to secure a potential presidential pardon.
Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX, has resurfaced on social network X with a series of posts expressing support for U.S. President Donald Trump. The activity comes just days after Caroline Ellison, former Alameda Research executive, was released from federal prison after serving 440 days for her role in the 2022 FTX collapse.
4) @realDonaldTrump is right on crypto. pic.twitter.com/lbX8Kbm20m
— SBF (@SBF_FTX) January 30, 2026
He did not limit his comments to digital assets. Bankman-Fried also praised Trump’s handling of foreign policy issues, including the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, calling the move “smart, courageous, and democratic.”
8) Thankfully, @realDonaldTrump pardoned the guy framed by the narcos + Biden.
And arrested an actual narco-dictator. pic.twitter.com/XdFXqvuiU3
— SBF (@SBF_FTX) January 30, 2026
At the same time, he criticized the previous administration, despite having donated millions of dollars to Democratic candidates in the past. He stated that global leaders were frustrated with former President Joe Biden and argued that regulatory decisions under Biden harmed the cryptocurrency sector.
In particular, he pointed to the appointment of Gary Gensler as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Regulatory shift and pardon speculation
Gary Gensler, known for his “regulation by enforcement” approach toward crypto firms, stepped down in January 2025 ahead of Trump’s inauguration. His successor, Paul Atkins, was sworn in by Trump in April 2025 and is widely viewed by the industry as more supportive of digital assets.
Bankman-Fried’s sudden political repositioning has fueled speculation that he may be seeking a presidential pardon. The theory gained traction following his February interview with the New York Sun and his March appearance on Tucker Carlson’s show, where he discussed politics and regulation at length.
The legal timeline
After FTX collapsed in November 2022, U.S. authorities extradited Bankman-Fried from the Bahamas to face charges including fraud and money laundering. In November 2023, a jury found him guilty on seven counts. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison in March 2024.
In November 2025, Bankman-Fried filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and is currently awaiting a decision.
On prediction platform Polymarket, traders currently estimate the probability of Trump granting Bankman-Fried a pardon by 2027 at approximately 17%.
Political rebranding or strategic defense
Observers are divided on the meaning of Bankman-Fried’s public statements. Some view them as a calculated attempt to align himself with a changing regulatory climate. Others see them as part of a broader legal and public relations strategy.
Historically, high-profile financial defendants have attempted reputational rehabilitation during or after imprisonment. However, Bankman-Fried’s case stands out for the real-time use of social media to signal a political shift while legal proceedings are still ongoing.
The timing, shortly after Ellison’s release, has further intensified scrutiny, though no evidence has emerged suggesting coordination.
For the crypto industry, the episode raises broader questions about accountability, political influence, and the future relationship between digital assets and federal regulators. Whether Bankman-Fried’s outreach represents genuine ideological change or strategic positioning remains unclear.
Source:: Sam Bankman-Fried Returns To X After Caroline Ellison's Prison Release