After more than 500 days following the cryptocurrency exchange FTX's collapse, former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for misusing customer funds. During a March 28 hearing, Judge Lewis Kaplan sentenced him to 300 months behind bars, even though prosecutors suggested up to 50 years and the defense requested a maximum of 6.5 years. Critics point out that Bankman-Fried's sentence seems lenient compared to others facing longer prison terms for lesser crimes.

Following the court announcement, social media users shared mixed reactions about the case. Some mentioned that the sentence seems lighter compared to similar cases, such as Chelsea Manning's 35-year sentence for different violations. Despite the sentencing guidelines allowing for up to 100 years, it was speculated before the hearing that the actual sentence would fall between 10 and 30 years. This decision, although less than the requested 40-50 years by prosecutors, sends a significant message to the crypto community about the consequences of criminal actions.

Swan Bitcoin's Terrence Yang disagreed, expressing that 25 years was not sufficient punishment for the harm caused by Bankman-Fried's actions, including suicides triggered by FTX's collapse. He highlighted the irreversible damage done to many families and the lack of remorse shown by the former CEO, questioning the leniency based on his ADHD diagnosis.

Bankman-Fried has begun his sentence at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, starting shortly after his bail was revoked in August 2023. The next individual in the case, Ryan Salame, the former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets, is expected to face sentencing on May 1. Other former executives tied to FTX and Alameda Research, such as Gary Wang, Caroline Ellison, and Nishad Singh, have already pleaded guilty and accepted deals.