Sam Bankman-Fried formally files for pardon—but White House reiterates that FTX cofounder’s odds are slim

Convicted crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried formally submitted a pardon request with the Department of Justice, but the odds of President Donald Trump granting him clemency remain slight, according to a White House spokesperson. The status of Bankman-Fried’s request is currently listed as “pending,” per the Department of Justice’s website on Monday. 

The FTX cofounder’s petition follows reports that his parents were engaging with individuals connected to Trump’s inner circle to curry the president’s favor—a notable pivot for the onetime crypto billionaire, who was briefly one of the largest donors to Democrats. Amid the charm offensive, Bankman-Fried even conducted an unsanctioned interview with conservative TV host Tucker Carlson from prison in March 2025.

A White House spokesperson pointed Fortune to remarks made by Trump in January, in which the President said he had no plans to pardon Bankman-Fried, among other high-profile figures, including ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez. 

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment.