Crypto currency world’s once leading figure Sam Bankman-Fried has seen a significant development in his legal battle with FTX exchange customers and a group of investors. Following the withdrawal of allegations against Bankman-Fried, it is reported that a settlement has been reached between the parties.
Judge’s Approval Needed for Settlement
As part of this settlement, Bankman-Fried, along with other FTX employees, agreed to meet the plaintiffs’ demands and resolve all current and future claims. However, this agreement needs to be approved by a judge.
FTX founder Bankman-Fried was facing serious prison time due to allegations of billions in fraud. However, this settlement appears to relieve Bankman-Fried from this liability. It is remembered that SBF was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
What Does the Settlement Entail?
The settlement also includes Bankman-Fried’s commitment to provide necessary information to the plaintiffs’ lawyers and the court. Additionally, Bankman-Fried is expected to document his net worth as negative and share documents related to other defendants.
However, celebrities and sports stars, who are high-profile supporters of the FTX case, still appear to be part of the lawsuit. Names like Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, and Gisele Bundchen are accused of investing in FTX and influencing investors.
As a result of the settlement, plaintiffs could potentially receive significant compensation. However, the process needs to be completed and the results clarified, requiring judge’s approval.
Will Bankman-Fried Compensate for the Losses?
Regarding the collapse of the FTX exchange, Bankman-Fried’s lawyer Mark Botnick stated that his client is determined to compensate for the damages. Botnick emphasized that Bankman-Fried is focused only on returning the property’s assets to the customers and aligning them with current prices.
Bankman-Fried will continue to work with Adam Moskowitz and his team, who represent the plaintiffs, to achieve this goal. The plaintiffs’ lawyers acknowledged the uncertainty and litigation risks of pursuing Bankman-Fried in their requests for the judge to approve the settlement. They concluded that Bankman-Fried’s cooperation would be “valuable” in the remaining legal proceedings.
Convicted late last year and sentenced at the end of March, Bankman-Fried is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, before being transferred to the prison where he will serve his sentence. He plans to appeal both his sentence and conviction.