Cryptocurrency mogul SBF, the founder of FTX, is currently under scrutiny as he prepares to stand trial on fraud charges. In a recent interview with acclaimed author and biographer Michael Lewis on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Lewis shed light on allegations of mismanagement within the FTX exchange and an astonishing plan to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential race involving former President Donald Trump.
One of the most startling revelations from the interview was SBF’s casual attitude towards billions of dollars in missing funds within his financial empire. According to Lewis, when questioned about the $8 billion allegedly shifted from FTX to sister company Alameda Research, SBF dismissed it as a mere “rounding error.” He reportedly claimed that the substantial sum didn’t raise any alarms for him, stating that it felt like they had “infinity dollars” in the account and that he wasn’t even thinking about it. SBF, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, seems to downplay the gravity of the situation, despite the Department of Justice’s allegations.
SBF management at FTX
In addition to the financial controversies, Lewis highlighted significant management failings at FTX during Bankman-Fried’s tenure. The new leadership that took over the company when it filed for bankruptcy on November 11, 2022, has alleged poor corporate governance under Bankman-Fried’s leadership. Even individuals described as his “best friends” within the company reportedly stated that he was ill-suited to manage people. Lewis noted that Bankman-Fried didn’t even know the names of other members of the board of directors, treating their role as mere rubber-stamping.
Perhaps one of the most astonishing claims made during the interview was Bankman-Fried’s purported plan to pay Donald Trump a staggering sum of up to $5 billion to prevent him from running for president again in 2024. The exact details and circumstances surrounding this alleged plot remain unclear, but it adds a layer of intrigue to the ongoing legal proceedings against Bankman-Fried.
Despite the mounting allegations and legal troubles, Michael Lewis mentioned that Bankman-Fried “genuinely thinks he’s innocent.” Lewis portrayed FTX as a “great real business” that might have survived if not for the negative publicity that triggered a rush of withdrawals from the exchange.
