Share this @internewscast.com

The jury has reached a verdict in the trial of former crypto billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried Thursday.

The verdict was reached at around 4:40 p.m., around four hours after the jury began deliberations, according to CNBC.

The co-founder of the digital currency exchange FTX was charged with seven counts of wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering that defrauded customers of his digital currency exchange, FTX, and lenders to its affiliated hedge fund, Alameda Research.

FTX and Alameda quickly collapsed in November 2022 after some of their financial liabilities were exposed. The fact that Alameda had taken billions of dollars from FTX’s customers, and that much of Alameda’s balance sheet was comprised of digital currency assets it had created, was central to the case against Bankman-Fried.

Unnerved by disclosures about the firm’s financial position, many of FTX’s customers tried to get their money back. That set off the equivalent of a bank run. The value of Alameda’s investments crashed, and FTX couldn’t return much of that money because it had been given to Alameda. Some went to the fund’s lenders, and billions were spent on sponsorships, commercials, and loans to top executives. That, too, was a major part of the case against Bankman-Fried.

Much of FTX and Alameda’s leadership were also charged after the firms went under. Former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison, FTX co-founder Gary Wang, and FTX technology chief Nishad Singh all pleaded guilty to the charges against them. They agreed to cooperate with the prosecution and testify against Bankman-Fried in exchange for lighter sentences.

Bankman-Fried’s lawyers contended that he did not intend to defraud anyone and that the government was looking for someone to blame after the failures of FTX and Alameda.

Forbes had once estimated that Bankman-Fried’s stakes in Alameda and FTX were worth $26 billion. He was 29 at the time. But after the bankruptcies, that was gone. Criminal charges followed weeks later.

He also faces another trial on charges of bribing foreign officials and other counts. That trial is scheduled to begin in March, and Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
WATCH: Ellen Greenberg’s ex-fiancé dodges questions as feds reopen death case of teacher with 23 stab wounds

Ellen Greenberg Case Reopened: Ex-Fiancé Stays Silent Amid Federal Probe into Teacher’s Mysterious Stabbing Death

Just days after federal authorities announced a reopening of the investigation into…
Rep. Feenstra Introduces Bill to Block Welfare Recipients from Sending Money Abroad

Representative Feenstra Proposes Legislation to Restrict International Money Transfers by Welfare Beneficiaries

U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra has put forward a new legislative proposal aimed…
Marion County teen arrested for AI-generated child sexual abuse materials, police say

Marion County Teen Faces Charges Over AI-Created Inappropriate Content, Authorities Report

In a disturbing case from Marion County, Florida, a teenager has been…
'Paradise' star and author Sarah Shahi reveals what helped her build her dream life and some 'Paradise' secrets

Unlocking ‘Paradise’: Sarah Shahi Shares Her Secrets to Crafting a Dream Life and Behind-the-Scenes Insights

Renowned actress Sarah Shahi is now venturing into the literary world with…
Chicago Bears game Sunday: Fans rallying behind Bears with bagels, beer ahead of playoff game against Los Angeles Rams

Chicago Bears Fans Fuel Up with Bagels and Beer for High-Stakes Playoff Showdown Against Los Angeles Rams

CHICAGO — The city and its surrounding suburbs are gearing up for…
Build universal child care as Mamdani vowed to do

Unlocking the Future: How Mamdani Plans to Revolutionize Universal Child Care

Luisa starts her day in the Bronx before the sun is up,…
UNRWA officials lobby congressional staffers against Trump terrorist designation threat

UNRWA Officials Urge U.S. Congress to Reject Trump’s Proposed Terrorist Labeling

EXCLUSIVE: In a recent briefing, officials from the United Nations Relief and…
Hair growth treatments recall due to a lack of child-proof packaging

Recall Issued for Hair Growth Products Over Insufficient Child-Proof Packaging

Consumers are urged to promptly store the recalled serum bottles in a…
Federal judge restricts ICE agents amid ongoing Minneapolis area protests

Federal Judge Limits ICE Actions During Minneapolis Protests

A Minnesota judge has issued a decisive ruling on Friday, preventing federal…
Bat infestation forces St. Mary's Elementary to extend relocation for safety, remediation

Bat Invasion at St. Mary’s Elementary: Extended Relocation Ensures Student Safety and Comprehensive Remediation

St. Mary’s Elementary School in Camden County is facing an extended relocation…
'We'd try anything': Iowa couple's fertility success story sparks heartwarming tradition

From Desperation to Celebration: Iowa Couple’s Fertility Journey Inspires a Heartwarming Annual Tradition

For Lauren and Jon Phillips, the journey to parenthood was a challenging…
Feel-Good Friday: Navy Veterans Who Married on V-J Day Celebrate 80th Anniversary in 2025

December Couples Reaffirm Love with Heartwarming Second Marriages on Feel-Good Friday

In times when global uncertainty looms, it’s refreshing to hear about individuals…