Sam Bankman-Fried Asks for New Trial Over FTX Fraud Charges

Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced FTX co-founder, has requested a new trial while serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud tied to the cryptocurrency exchange’s 2022 collapse. The filing, submitted in February 2026, hinges on claims of new witness testimony that could allegedly undermine the prosecution’s original case against him. Legal experts describe the motion as a long-shot effort, given the overwhelming evidence presented during his 2023 conviction on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy. Bankman-Fried’s defense argues procedural errors and newly discovered evidence justify retrial, though courts rarely grant such requests post-sentencing. The case underscores ongoing legal fallout from FTX’s $32 billion implosion, which remains one of the largest financial frauds in crypto history.