A reported effort to secure a presidential pardon for convicted FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is facing significant bipartisan opposition in Congress. The push, as reported by Politico, has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers who have previously been supportive of the cryptocurrency industry.
Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), a known advocate for crypto-friendly regulation, was quoted by Politico in March 2026 using harsh language to dismiss the idea. "The guy's a piece of shit," Moreno stated. "The guy shouldn't be pardoned." This sentiment reflects a broader skepticism toward leniency for the former executive, who was found guilty on multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy in late 2023.
Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for orchestrating one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history, which led to the collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange and the loss of billions in customer funds. The reported pardon discussion emerges amid ongoing efforts to recover assets for victims, though no formal pardon request has been publicly confirmed by the White House.
The strong reaction from figures like Senator Moreno indicates that political support for Bankman-Fried has evaporated, even among traditional allies of the digital asset sector. The case continues to be a focal point in debates over cryptocurrency regulation and accountability.
