In his first prison interview, Sam Bankman-Fried claimed FTX could be worth as much as $93 billion if it avoids bankruptcy, despite the exchange’s collapse.
Sam Bankman-Fried , former CEO of FTX , continued to defend his actions in an interview from prison with Tucker Carlson . Sentenced to 25 years in prison , he argued that FTX could still have thrived without outside interference.
Bankman-Fried claimed FTX had $93 billion in assets and only $15 billion in debt , asserting that the bankruptcy decision was a mistake and that the collapse was due to external factors and poor management.
Despite his imprisonment, Sam Bankman-Fried maintains his old views on crypto, arguing that crime in the industry has decreased since the days of Silk Road . He admits that he has no liquid assets but believes that if things were different, FTX would still be strong and profitable.
Bankman-Fried did not address the pardon call , but expressed frustration with the Democratic Party . He revealed that he donated to Republicans as much as Democrats in 2022 , and suggested that this could affect his situation.
In an interview with Tucker Carlson , Sam Bankman-Fried not only talked about his legal troubles, but also shared his prison experience, joking that muffins are “prison money,” and mentioning his upcoming birthday.
He is still appealing the verdict , but admits his chances are slim. Bankman-Fried continues to insist that FTX ‘s collapse was not solely his fault, but the result of factors beyond his control . While he has criticized crypto crime, he has downplayed its scale, comparing it to the Silk Road era .
