As a crypto investor with some experience under my belt, I’m deeply disappointed and concerned about the sentencing of Ryan Salame. His involvement in illegal activities, as outlined in this article, is a stark reminder of the risks that come with investing in the crypto space. It’s important to note that these actions were not only criminal but also undermined public trust in American elections and the integrity of the financial system.


I recently learned that my former FTX co-CEO, Ryan Salame, received a sentence of 90 months in prison, as announced by Damian Lewis, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Previously, I admitted to conspiring with others to illegally contribute to political campaigns and deceive the Federal Election Commission in a court before Judge Lewis A. Kaplan. Additionally, I confessed to participating in an unlicensed money-transmitting business in violation of the law. Today, Judge Kaplan announced my sentence for these offenses.

Ryan Salame’s Sentencing

According to the formal announcement, Salame held the role of co-CEO for FTX Digital Markets, the Bahamas-based affiliate firm, between 2019 and 2021.

I made it a point to bring the authorities’ attention to any suspected fraudulent activities at FTX as early as late last year, before our bankruptcy filing. My lawyers urged for leniency during sentencing, emphasizing this proactive action on my part.

As a crypto investor, I’ve come to learn that legal outcomes can vary greatly. While some authorities may suggest leniency, others might recommend harsher penalties. In my case, the US probation authorities proposed a more stringent sentence – a 10-year prison term.

Commenting on the sentencing, Williams said,

Ryan Salame admitted to furthering the agendas of FTX, Alameda Research, and their associates through illegal political maneuvering and unauthorized money transfer services. This clandestine activity expedited FTX’s expansion, allowing it to flourish beyond legal boundaries.

The actions of Salame, implicated in two major federal transgressions, have significantly eroded public faith in the honesty of American elections and the soundness of our financial system. This current situation serves as a reminder of the severe repercussions that accompany such misdeeds.

Allegations Against Salame

During the court hearings, it came to light that Salame worked in cahoots with Bankman-Fried and other individuals to operate an unauthorized money-transmitting enterprise. They utilized FTX, Alameda Research, and “North Dimension” as conduits to transfer customer funds without obtaining the necessary licenses.

As a researcher uncovering this information, I’ve come across allegations claiming that Salame, Bankman-Fried, and Nishad Singh of FTX reportedly made misleading statements to US banks to support their questionable dealings. Furthermore, starting around 2020, there were plans to hide SBF’s involvement in campaign contributions by conspiring with Salame and Singh.

As a researcher studying the political activities of FTX and its founder Sam Bankman-Fried, I have discovered that their donations were intended to bolster Bankman-Fried’s standing in Washington D.C., increase the visibility of FTX, and curry favor with candidates aligned with their interests. Unfortunately, this was achieved through more than 300 unlawful political contributions, which amounted to tens of millions of dollars. These donations were disguised and resulted in misleading reports to the Federal Election Commission.

The 30-year-old ex-FTX executive was sentenced to prison time, but that wasn’t the only consequence. He will also serve three years under supervision after completing his prison term. Furthermore, he was fined over $6 million and mandated to pay restitution amounting to more than $5 million.

This year, a court convicted Bankman-Fried of utilizing customer deposits worth billions of dollars to finance high-risk investments through Alameda Research, resulting in a 25-year prison term for him.

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2024-05-29 22:38