Emre Yumlu 
Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the founder of FTX, has formally requested a new trial in the fraud case heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Despite receiving a 25-year prison sentence in 2023, Bankman-Fried (SBF) continues to pursue additional legal avenues. Notably, this latest motion is separate from his ongoing formal appeal process.
In the filing submitted to federal court, the defense argues that testimony from witnesses who were not presented during the original trial could materially impact the outcome of the case. However, under U.S. federal law, motions for a new trial face a particularly high threshold and are rarely granted, making the request a legally challenging endeavor.
Defense Focuses on Previously Unheard Witnesses
At the center of the motion are potential testimonies from former FTX executives Daniel Chapsky and Ryan Salame. According to the defense, their statements could challenge the prosecution’s portrayal of FTX’s financial condition prior to its collapse. Neither individual testified during the original proceedings.
Ryan Salame previously pleaded guilty to charges related to campaign finance violations and fraud and was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. He is currently serving that sentence. The defense contends that information from these former executives may have influenced the jury’s assessment of the company’s financial status and internal operations.
The filing also alleges that Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the original trial, demonstrated “manifest prejudice” during the proceedings. As a result, the defense has requested that a different judge review the new trial motion. This argument echoes claims raised during the appeal process, including assertions that the defense was prevented from informing jurors that sufficient funds were allegedly available to repay investors.
A Multi-Front Legal Strategy
Bankman-Fried (SBF) was convicted on seven criminal counts related to the misuse of customer funds at FTX and its affiliated trading firm, Alameda Research. The case stands as one of the most significant fraud prosecutions in the history of the cryptocurrency industry.
Meanwhile, the FTX bankruptcy estate continues efforts to compensate affected customers. Throughout 2025, billions of dollars have been distributed to creditors, with additional repayments expected as asset recoveries and claims evaluations progress.
Although the outcome of the new trial request remains uncertain, the filing underscores Bankman-Fried’s continued strategy of contesting the verdict through multiple legal channels.
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