US Government Seizes $700 Million in Assets From Disgraced FTX Co-Founder Sam Bankman-Fried

US Government Seizes $700 Million in Assets From Disgraced FTX Co-Founder Sam Bankman-Fried

Federal prosecutors have seized $697 million in assets, mostly comprised of more than 56 million Robinhood shares worth $526 million, from FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Court filings detailed that the U.S. government seized a series of bank accounts belonging to Bankman-Fried, holding millions in cash. US Government Seizes Millions in Cash and Robinhood Shares From FTX Co-Founder; SBF Denies Misappropriation of Customer Assets

The U.S. government has seized nearly $700 million from the former FTX CEO and co-founder, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), according to court documents reviewed by CNBC. Most of the funds came from the 56,273,269 shares of Robinhood Markets Inc. (Nasdaq: HOOD) owned by Bankman-Fried. Using exchange rates from Jan. 20, 2023, the Hood shares are worth more than $526 million.

Furthermore, CNBC reporters Rohan Goswami and MacKenzie Sigalos detail that nearly $56 million held in four bank accounts was seized as well. Three accounts holding $6 million were allegedly held at Silvergate Bank and one account reportedly held at Moonstone Bank held $50 million. In total, $171 million in cash was taken by the federal government from Bankman-Fried. Moonstone Bank explained on Jan. 19, 2023, that the financial institution will officially be exiting the crypto space.

Alameda Research invested $11.5 million into Moonstone Bank, also known as Farmington State Bank, through FBH, Moonstone’s holding company. Federal prosecutors believe the $697 million in assets, mostly made up of Robinhood shares, were acquired using funds stolen from FTX customers. Bankman-Fried maintains his innocence and has “denied misappropriating customer assets,” Sigalos explained on Friday.

Additionally, federal agents also seized funds that belonged to SBF that were held on the crypto exchanges Binance and Binance US. The U.S. government revealed intentions to seize the Robinhood shares during the first week of January 2023, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) initiated the process.

Bankman-Fried attempted to regain access to the shares, noting that he needed the money to pay for legal expenses. The U.S. government can seize funds from citizens suspected of wrongdoing without necessarily charging them with a crime and from charged suspects awaiting trial. Federal prosecutors do not believe the assets seized are the property in the bankruptcy estate. Tags in this story Alameda Research, Assets, bank accounts, Binance, Binance.us, Cash, crypto space, customers funds, DOJ, Farmington State Bank, FBH, ftx, FTX customers, legal expenses, misappropriation, Moonstone Bank, Robinhood shares, Sam Bankman-Fried, Seizure, Silvergate Bank, suspected wrongdoing, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Government

What do you think about Federal prosecutors seizing nearly $700 million from SBF? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Jamie Redman

Jamie Redman is the News Lead at Bitcoin.com News and a financial tech journalist living in Florida. Redman has been an active member of the cryptocurrency community since 2011. He has a passion for Bitcoin, open-source code, and decentralized applications. Since September 2015, Redman has written more than 6,000 articles for Bitcoin.com News about the disruptive protocols emerging today. Objections Raised Over Appointment of Sullivan & Cromwell as Debtors" Counsel for FTX NEWS | 3 hours ago Bitcoin’s Crypto Market Action Holds the Upper Hand as Dominance Level Surpasses 40% NEWS | 5 hours ago

Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons Previous articleBiggest Movers: SOL up 20%, ADA Hits Highest Point Since November Next articleBitcoin’s Crypto Market Action Holds the Upper Hand as Dominance Level Surpasses 40% Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article. Read disclaimerShow comments More Popular NewsIn Case You Missed ItGoldman Predicts US Recession Odds at 35% in 2 Years, John Mauldin Wouldn"t Be Surprised if Stocks Fell 40%

The American economy continues to look gloomy and signals pointing toward a looming recession continue to appear. In a note sent to clients this week, Goldman Sachs’ chief economist said the bank envisions the “odds of a recession as roughly ... read more.Fed"s Bullard Wants to Raise Bank Rate to 3.5% by Year"s End, Hints at 75 Basis Point Rate Hike Survey: Adoption in Argentina Grows, With 12 out of 100 Adults Having Invested in Crypto Iran to Increase Penalties for Unauthorized Cryptocurrency Mining Terra"s Algorithmic Dollar-Pegged Crypto UST Is Now the Third-Largest Stablecoin