The crypto world hasn’t stopped talking since Donald Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance. It was the kind of decision that shakes both markets and morality. Two years after CZ admitted to violating the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, Trump wiped his record clean. Now, eyes are turning to one man who once ruled crypto headlines for all the wrong reasons, Sam Bankman-Fried.
Could he be next in line for mercy?
When Trump pardoned CZ on October 23, 2025, it sent shockwaves through finance and politics. CZ had already served time and paid huge fines, $4.3 billion for Binance and $50 million personally. His offense was tied to compliance failures, not outright theft.
The pardon cleared CZ’s record and restarted talks about Trump’s role in crypto regulation. He had already pardoned Ross Ulbricht and the BitMEX founders. Crypto holders might wonder if Trump could also forgive Sam Bankman-Fried.
What you'll learn 👉
Why Sam Bankman-Fried’s Case Is Far More Serious
Sam Bankman-Fried, known as SBF, was at the center of one of crypto’s biggest scandals. His downfall shocked the world of finance. In 2023, he was found guilty on seven felony charges. also he was guilty for running a massive fraud through FTX and Alameda Research.
There were rumors that he used customer money for risky trades and political donations, taking about $8 billion. The collapse destroyed life savings, shattered trust, and damaged the image of the entire crypto industry.
As one analyst on X, FarmMyTears, noted, if SBF walks free after all this, it would look less like justice and more like a payoff.
What Sparked the Talk About a Possible Pardon
Speculation about an SBF pardon didn’t come from the White House, it started in the markets. After Trump’s decision to pardon CZ, betting platforms like Polymarket saw odds for an SBF pardon jump from 4% to 16%.
THE RUMOR: Trump is considering pardoning Sam Bankman-Fried
— Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) October 28, 2025
THE TRUTH: ❌ This is SPECULATION, not real news
What Actually Happened:
🔹 Yesterday Trump pardoned Binance's CZ
🔹 This triggered betting market speculation
🔹 Polymarket odds for SBF pardon jumped from 4% → 16%… pic.twitter.com/aBFy4j6taq
Crypto commentator Crypto Patel pointed out that this is only market speculation not confirmed political movement. According to him, SBF’s family has been lobbying for clemency since January, and SBF himself is trying to rebuild a “pro-Republican” image. Still, no evidence suggests Trump is actively considering a pardon.
The buzz is more about optics than substance. CZ’s pardon had clear political and financial logic. SBF’s crimes, on the other hand, involved real victims and massive losses. The difference is night and day. What’s making this debate so intense isn’t just SBF’s case. It’s what the pardons say about how politics and crypto are merging.
FarmMyTears noted that Binance’s alignment with Trump’s circle particularly through the Trump-family-backed World Liberty Financial project might have helped CZ’s case. That connection gave Binance a path back into the U.S. market.
Why a Pardon for SBF Is Still Unlikely
If SBF gets a pardon, it may show that politics matters more than justice. Pardons could start to look like deals instead of fair decisions. It would mean money and influence count more than victims and accountability.
Despite different speculations, a pardon for SBF looks unlikely. His actions were clear, intentional, and damaging. The crypto industry might not be ready to forgive someone tied to one of its worst scandals.
Crypto Patel noted that while Trump has shown sympathy for certain crypto founders, SBF’s offenses are on another level. CZ faced compliance failures; SBF orchestrated a massive fraud. The difference between negligence and theft is what makes a pardon so improbable.
Read Also: Analyst Spots a Familiar Pattern in Stellar (XLM) Chart – Here’s What They Expect Next
Even Trump’s allies in Washington might hesitate to associate with a figure whose actions damaged millions of ordinary investors. Politically, the cost would outweigh any potential gain.
Whether or not Trump ever considers SBF’s name, this moment exposes something bigger. Crypto is no longer operating outside politics. Pardons, partnerships, and influence are now shaping the industry’s direction as much as innovation and technology.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for daily crypto updates, market insights, and expert analysis.
