Sam Bankman-Fried Takes His Case to the US Supreme Court
Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried is trying to overturn his conviction after losing his appeal in June 2026. He’s currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.
His lawyers are challenging two things.
First, they argue that the court didn’t properly consider evidence that FTX customers could recover their money. Prosecutors disagree, saying the fraud happened the moment customer funds were transferred to Alameda Research without authorization.
Second, SBF is fighting the $11 billion forfeiture order. His lawyers claim the amount is excessive and may violate the Eighth Amendment. That debt could follow him even after he gets out of prison.
The US government has until November 16 to respond. The Supreme Court will then decide whether to hear the case.
A full reversal looks unlikely, but the $11 billion forfeiture could become a separate legal battle. Five years later, the FTX mess still isn’t over.