Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has reportedly been placed in solitary confinement at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center after participating in an unauthorized interview with right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson. According to a representative from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, the interview, which aired on March 6 on Carlson’s YouTube channel, was not approved by prison authorities.
“This particular interview was not approved,” a Bureau of Prisons spokesperson told The New York Times on March 7.
Prison Crackdown on Unauthorized Communication
Bankman-Fried’s participation in the interview violated strict federal guidelines governing inmate communications. Sources indicate that after the interview was published, authorities immediately moved him into solitary confinement. The Bureau of Prisons enforces stringent regulations on who can communicate with inmates and under what conditions, making unauthorized media interactions a serious infraction.
During the interview, which has already amassed over 730,000 views, Bankman-Fried discussed his life behind bars and offered his thoughts on U.S. crypto regulations. Most notably, he defended himself against fraud allegations, stating that he did not believe he was “a criminal.”
Could SBF Receive a Presidential Pardon?
Although Carlson did not explicitly ask Bankman-Fried whether he expected a pardon from former President Donald Trump, the interview fueled speculation about potential political intervention. The former FTX CEO appeared receptive to some Republican views, leading to speculation within the crypto community about his prospects for clemency.
On March 7, crypto prediction platform Polymarket noted in an X post that “the odds of an SBF pardon have nearly doubled” since the interview’s release. This speculation is further fueled by Trump’s history of granting high-profile pardons, including his January 21 decision to pardon Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road darknet marketplace, who had served 12 years behind bars.
SBF’s Legal Battle Continues
Despite these rumors, Bankman-Fried is still in the middle of a legal fight to overturn his conviction. In September 2024, his lawyers filed an appeal against his 25-year prison sentence and seven felony convictions, arguing that he was “never presumed innocent.” The 102-page appeal brief alleges that his trial was heavily influenced by public scrutiny and biased media coverage, ultimately affecting the fairness of his prosecution.
With his legal battle ongoing and political speculation swirling, Bankman-Fried’s fate remains uncertain. Whether he will serve his full sentence or secure a political lifeline remains to be seen. However, his recent move to solitary confinement underscores the extent to which authorities are cracking down on his ability to influence public discourse from behind bars.
As the crypto community watches closely, one thing is clear: Sam Bankman-Fried’s story is far from over.
