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Court Ruling Looms as Sam Bankman-Fried Appeals 25-Year Sentence in U.S.

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has officially filed for an appeal in a U.S. court, aiming to reduce his 25-year prison sentence.

This appeal comes nearly two years after his sentencing in March 2024, which marked a significant moment following the collapse of the $8 billion cryptocurrency exchange.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has scheduled oral arguments for November 4, 2025, making this one of the key moments in his ongoing legal battle.

Bankman-Fried's attorneys argue that he was never granted the presumption of innocence, claiming prosecutors created a misleading narrative regarding FTX user funds.

Additionally, Bankman-Fried recently suggested that external legal counsel manipulated FTX’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

If these claims are validated in court, they could shift the focus from criminal intent to possible procedural misconduct.

The appeal process will be arduous, particularly given damaging testimonies from former executives who cooperated with prosecutors.

Furthermore, Bankman-Fried may explore political avenues for freedom, as he hinted at potential support from Republican figures like Donald Trump.

Simultaneously, he faces upcoming deposition regarding allegations of improper liquidations that contributed to the demise of Three Arrows Capital.

As FTX customers await the resolution of their claims, the court's future decisions could significantly influence the broader cryptocurrency landscape and investor confidence.