The parents of Sam Bankman-Fried, the former FTX CEO currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud, are exploring the possibility of securing a pardon for their son from Donald Trump.

Stanford Law School professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried have reportedly met with lawyers and individuals connected to President Donald Trump’s circle in recent weeks, according to Bloomberg.  

It remains unclear whether any direct outreach has been made to Trump or his campaign. Both parents declined to comment, and Bankman-Fried’s legal team has yet to respond to inquiries.

Trump’s recent use of his pardon authority, including clemency for Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, has led to increased interest from white-collar defendants seeking similar relief. 

After the posting of this news, SBF’s pardon chances increased to 8% on Kalshi. 

SBF’s clemency request

While clemency requests typically go through the Justice Department, Trump has historically considered informal appeals. White-collar legal advisers report a surge in inquiries from individuals hoping to leverage political connections for leniency.

Ryan Salame, a former FTX executive serving a seven-year sentence, has also indicated interest in seeking a pardon, according to Bloomberg.

Trump, who once dismissed cryptocurrency, has since embraced the industry, attracting support from digital asset advocates and figures seeking regulatory rollbacks.

Additionally, Trump has shown a willingness to assist individuals who claim to be victims of political prosecutions, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, who has suggested his bribery case was politically motivated.