Trump’s pardon rejection forces SBF into an appeal-only strategy after stepping back from retrial efforts.
Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has withdrawn his request for a new criminal trial. Court filings show he chose to pause the effort while continuing to challenge his conviction through appeal. His decision follows scrutiny from prosecutors and questions raised by the presiding judge.
SBF Drops Retrial Request After Questions Over Filing Process
A filing submitted in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York confirmed that Bankman-Fried is dropping his Rule 33 motion. That motion had sought a new trial after his 2023 conviction on fraud-related charges tied to the collapse of FTX. The former CEO stated the withdrawal comes “without prejudice,” meaning he could revive the request later.
SBF addressed concerns raised by Judge Lewis Kaplan about whether he received legal assistance when filing motions on his own. Prosecutors had questioned whether the former executive truly acted independently in seeking an extension earlier in March.
In response, Bankman-Fried said he authored the filing himself but discussed it with his parents.
Attention shifted toward his appeal, which remains pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He also requested a reassignment to another judge, arguing that Kaplan showed bias during the proceedings. That request is still pending and was not affected by the latest withdrawal.
No Lifeline From Trump: SBF Turns Fully to Appeal After Pardon Snub
Bankman-Fried indicated that time spent responding to the court’s questions limited his ability to prepare arguments against prosecutors. He also expressed doubts about receiving a fair hearing on the motion in its current setting. Those factors contributed to his decision to step back from the new trial request for now.
In 2023, conviction marked a dramatic fall for a figure once at the helm of one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges. Authorities found that customer funds had been misused, leading to billions in losses. A 25-year prison sentence followed, and SBF is currently held at a federal correctional facility in California.
Public comments since his sentencing have kept him in the spotlight. Bankman-Fried has signaled interest in seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. He has also criticized the Justice Department under Joe Biden, alleging that it pressured witnesses during his trial.
However, Trump has said he does not plan to grant a pardon. That stance leaves SBF’s appeal as his primary path forward. For now, the case enters a quieter phase focused on appellate review.
