• Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has allegedly tried to influence potential witnesses of his trial via Signal, an encrypted messaging software.
• Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried wrote to the current General Counsel of FTX US, Ryne Miller, in an attempt to improve their relationship.
• The US Department of Justice has requested that the court ban Bankman-Fried from using the messaging platform, claiming it is necessary to prevent obstruction of justice.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has been accused of attempting to influence potential witnesses of his trial via an encrypted messaging software. According to a letter filed by federal prosecutors in Manhattan federal court on Friday, Bankman-Fried sent a message to the current General Counsel of FTX US, Ryne Miller, via Signal on January 15.
The message reportedly contained a request from Bankman-Fried to reconnect and explore ways to have a constructive relationship, as well as use each other as resources when possible. The move comes after the new FTX management announced that they have recovered over $5 billion in cash and liquid assets which may be used to repay creditors.
Prosecutors have suggested that Bankman-Fried’s request could be an effort to influence the witness’s testimony, and that his effort to improve his relationship with Miller „may itself constitute witness tampering“. In order to prevent obstruction of justice, the US Department of Justice has asked the court to ban Bankman-Fried from using the messaging platform. Furthermore, it has been revealed that Bankman-Fried has also been in contact with „other current and former FTX employees“.
The case against Bankman-Fried is ongoing and it is not yet clear what the outcome will be. In the meantime, the US Department of Justice is taking all necessary steps to ensure that justice is served and that the case is not obstructed in any way.