Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the now-defunct crypto exchange FTX, is not giving up the fight. After being sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for fraud and conspiracy related to the collapse of FTX, his legal team has officially filed an appeal. They argue that the trial was unfair and violated his basic legal rights.
According to court documents, Bankman-Fried’s lawyers claim he was “never presumed innocent,” a fundamental right under U.S. law. The defense also says that essential evidence related to FTX and its operations was kept out of the trial, limiting the jury’s understanding of the full context behind the exchange’s collapse.
Why the Appeal Matters
This appeal could shape how future crypto-related legal cases are handled. If the court agrees with any of the claims — especially about improper exclusion of evidence — it may lead to a retrial or reduced sentence. That would have ripple effects not just for Bankman-Fried, but also for legal precedents in the crypto world.
Bankman-Fried has consistently maintained that while mistakes were made, he did not intend to commit fraud. His team argues that some actions were misinterpreted due to the complex and fast-moving nature of the crypto industry.
UPDATE: Sam Bankman-Fried’s team is appealing his 25-year sentence, claiming he was “never presumed innocent” and key FTX evidence was excluded. pic.twitter.com/JQTZer9FP3
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) November 4, 2025
What’s Next in the Case
Appeals in federal court can take months, sometimes even years. The case will go before a panel of appellate judges who will review the trial proceedings and determine if any legal errors were made. Until then, Bankman-Fried remains in federal custody.
The appeal reopens the spotlight on one of the most dramatic collapses in crypto history and raises fresh questions about justice in high-profile financial crimes.