Bitcoin holds as White House rules out SBF pardon

TLDR

• White House says Trump will not pardon Sam Bankman-Fried.
• Spokesperson reiterates no-pardon stance despite past clemency decisions.
• Emphasis shifts to criminal judgment and legal processes, reducing perceived favoritism risks.

President Trump will not pardon Sam Bankman-Fried, as reported by Fortune, which cited a spokesperson reiterating the no-pardon stance despite past clemency decisions. The statement directly addresses ongoing speculation about an SBF pardon and clarifies the administration’s position.

The decision centers the criminal judgment and related processes rather than clemency. It also narrows political risk around perceived favoritism in high-profile financial crime cases, a theme closely watched by crypto industry participants and policy observers alike.

Why this no-pardon stance matters for SBF and victims

A clear no-pardon position removes a key avenue of extraordinary relief and shifts attention to standard legal channels. For victims, that signals continued reliance on court-ordered outcomes rather than executive intervention.

John E. Deaton, a crypto attorney, said, “A pardon or commutation would be a slap in the face of justice and innocent investors.”

At the time of this writing, FTX Token (FTT) trades near $0.3136 alongside a bearish readout and elevated volatility. This market snapshot is contextual and does not imply any view on recovery prospects or legal outcomes.

Presidential pardon powers: scope, timing, and proposed limits

Presidential pardon powers are a form of executive clemency that have been used in various administrations. Despite prior use of pardons, debates continue over the appropriate boundaries for high-profile financial crimes and related public confidence.

Congressman Johnny Olszewski is introducing a constitutional amendment to give Congress the power to overturn presidential pardons and commutations, as reported by AOL. The proposal underscores ongoing efforts to recalibrate clemency authority in exceptional cases.

Any change to clemency authority via constitutional amendment would represent a significant shift and could face extended deliberation. For now, the stated no-pardon position stands, and case outcomes will continue to be determined through existing judicial and administrative processes.