FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried has formally requested a pardon from the Trump administration, filing an application under the U.S. Justice Department’s pardon attorney process, Decrypt reported. Bankman-Fried is serving a 25-year prison sentence after a 2024 conviction for fraud and conspiracy. The reasons for his request have not been confirmed because the filing is confidential. He has said he would accept a pardon if offered.

Crypto scam tactics have become more sophisticated in 2026, making investor protection a key market task. The Crypto Basic reported that crypto scams totalled $14 billion in 2025, up from $9.9 billion in 2024. Impersonation crimes surged 1,400 percent, with pig butchering scams and fake investment platforms cited as major drivers. Risks include phishing, fake tokens, social media impersonation, deepfakes, wallet-draining and malware, while recovery remains difficult after blockchain confirmations.