WELCOME TO OUR live coverage of the verdict in the trial of FTX founder Sam-Bankman-Fried. Check out our explainer for everything you need to know about the trial. We’ll have updates from the court as the jury delivers its verdict, which could happen as soon as Thursday afternoon.
As the closing arguments continue, let’s recap the charges filed against Bankman-Fried. There are twelve in total, seven of which are being tried at this, the first of two trails:
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud on customers of FTX
- Wire fraud on customers of FTX
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud on lenders to Alameda Research
- Wire fraud on lenders to Alameda Research
- Conspiracy to commit fraud on customers of FTX in connection with purchase and sale of derivatives
- Conspiracy to commit securities fraud on investors in FTX
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering
At the heart of each charge is a fairly straightforward allegation, lodged by the US government: Bankman-Fried and his co-conspirators swept money belonging to FTX customers into a sibling company, Alameda Research, where it was later spent. The group lied about, misrepresented or failed to mention this arrangement to various stakeholders—customers, lenders and investors—amounting to fraud, the prosecution says.
Here’s what we’re expecting to happen in court over the next couple of days. Most of today will be taken up by closing arguments, followed by a rebuttal from the production. That might run into tomorrow. But, either way, the jury should start its deliberations tomorrow.
How long that takes is anyone’s guess. While it’s not unheard of for deliberations to last just a few hours, it’s rare. But, if everything moves quickly, a verdict could land as soon as early afternoon tomorrow New York time.
Welcome to WIRED’s Live Coverage of the FTX Trial
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. A verdict could land as soon as tomorrow, with closing arguments taking place today. We’ll be reporting live from the court tomorrow to bring you all the news as it happens.