logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
18m 15s

The Crypto King and the journalist

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Sam Bankman-Fried, the American crypto entrepreneur who went from billionaire to bankrupt, is on trial in New York for fraud.

The 31-year-old who founded the cryptocurrency exchange FTX is accused of lying to investors and lenders.

He has denied those charges, and instead says he was acting in good faith but made mistakes. He says he never set out to defraud anyone.

In the coming days, 12 jurors will decide his fate - he could face a life sentence in prison if convicted.

Vivienne Nunis speaks to financial journalist Michael Lewis, who spent hundreds of hours with Sam Bankman-Fried for his new book Going Infinite.

Presenter: Vivienne Nunis

(Image: Sam Bankman-Fried leaving a court hearing in June 2022. Credit: Getty Images)

Up next
Today
Monetising Machu Picchu
<p>Peru is home to Machu Picchu - the ancient Inca city in the Andes mountains. </p><p>It's one of the seven wonders of the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The popular tourist destination attracts millions of visitors, making it very lucrative for the government, local a ... Show More
17m 38s
Nov 21
What happens when the aid money runs out?
<p>In the second of our two-part series on tightening aid budgets, Sam Fenwick explores what shrinking donor support means for global health — from the sudden halt to major US-funded projects, to the pressure on low-income countries to increase their own health spending.</p><p>As ... Show More
17m 30s
Nov 20
What's next for USAID funded projects?
<p>We examine the fallout from the cuts to US foreign aid.</p><p>We meet projects in Rwanda and Nepal that were close to shutting down - and hear the story of a mystery donor who stepped in to keep them going. </p><p>But how long will the support last? </p><p>Presented and produ ... Show More
17m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
BREAKING NEWS: Sam Bankman-Fried Found Guilty
Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted of a massive fraud that led to the collapse of his FTX exchange, following a month-long trial that pitted the testimony of the former crypto king against that of some of his closest friends.   Bankman-Fried was found guilty of seven counts of fraud ... Show More
19m 28s
Aug 2023
Sam Bankman-Fried: Former billionaire headed to jail after bail revoked
A judge in New York has revoked the bail of Sam Bankman-Fried, the former boss of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange, FTX. He will now remain in jail until his trial in October. Reports from the courtroom say Mr Bankman-Fried handed his blazer, tie and shoelaces to his lawyers ... Show More
50m 11s
Oct 2023
Sam Bankman-Fried Goes on Trial
<p>Sam Bankman-Fried, the fallen golden boy of crypto, is going on trial for what prosecutors are calling the largest financial fraud in recent history.</p><p>David Yaffe-Bellany, a technology reporter for The Times, explains the case of the man who was supposed to save the crypt ... Show More
29m 55s
Nov 2023
'Crypto King' Sam Bankman-Fried guilty of FTX fraud
Sam Bankman-Fried, who once ran one of the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, has been found guilty of fraud and money laundering at the end of a month-long trial in New York. We hear the latest reaction from the US and what this will mean for the former 'crypto king' as w ... Show More
50m 1s
Oct 2023
Bonus: Michael Lewis on FTX & Sam Bankman-Fried
<p>This week, we have a bonus episode for you, live from the FT Due Diligence Forum in London. FT chief features writer Henry Mance sits down with author Michael Lewis to discuss his new book, <em>Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, </em>an all-access account of Sa ... Show More
40m 56s
Jan 2023
Sam Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty
Former FTX boss Sam Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to fraud and other crimes. Devina Gupta speaks to BBC North America business correspondent, Michelle Fleury, who is in New York reporting on the case. What affect will the China travel restrictions have on the economies of ... Show More
26m 27s