Cryptocurrency

Sam Bankman-Fried’s jury selection begins as fallen crypto mogul awaits trial

The FTX founder has been accused of massive fraud and faces a lengthy prison term if convicted

Potential jurors asked if they can be fair when deciding SBF's fate
Potential jurors asked if they can be fair when deciding SBF's fate Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Jury selection began on 3 October in the fraud trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried after a prosecutor revealed that no discussions about a potential plea agreement took place in the nearly 10 months since the cryptocurrency executive was arrested and brought to the United States.

Once a billionaire, the 31-year-old crypto mogul faces the possibility of a long prison term if convicted at a trial projected to last up to six weeks. In a makeover for trial, Bankman-Fried gave up his wild big-hair look for a scissored-down trim more common in the financial industry. Introduced to jurors, he briefly stood in his suit and tie and turned their way.

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