Sam Bankman-Fried files motion for new trial in FTX fraud case

Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of collapsed crypto exchange FTX, is seeking a new trial in his fraud case before the Southern District of New York federal court, according to Inner City Press.

In a document surfaced by Inner City Press, Bankman-Fried filed a pro se motion that was entered into the docket on February 10, 2026, invoking Rule 33 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and the due process clause of the US Constitution.

Rule 33 allows a federal court to grant a new trial “if the interest of justice so requires.” It is typically used to challenge a conviction based on newly discovered evidence, legal errors during trial, or violations of constitutional rights.

Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year sentence following his November 2023 conviction on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy tied to the collapse of FTX. In the motion, he argues that his constitutional right to a fair trial was violated.

The filing was submitted from prison and accompanied by a memorandum of law, declaration, and a cover letter dated February 5, 2026. The letter was signed by Barbara H. Fried, Saunders Professor of Law Emerita at Stanford Law School and Bankman-Fried’s mother, who stated she was authorized to file the materials on his behalf due to his incarceration.

Included in the submission is Exhibit A, a declaration from Daniel Chapsky, former head of data science at FTX.US, who also provided a supporting letter during Bankman-Fried’s 2024 sentencing proceedings.

The motion is procedurally separate from Bankman-Fried’s ongoing appeal in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals (case 24-961), which was argued in November 2025 and remains pending. That appeal focuses on trial fairness, evidentiary exclusions, and alleged judicial bias.

FTX, once ranked among the largest digital asset exchanges worldwide, imploded in November 2022 after revelations that billions in customer deposits had been funneled into speculative bets and political contributions through sister firm Alameda Research.