SBF Trial: Sam Bankman-Fried is Next in line to Take the Stand

As SBF trial enters the fourth week, his lawyers have confirmed he will be taking the stand to defend himself
By Godfrey Benjamin

The criminal trial of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) has entered the fourth week and he is next in line to take the witness stand after some of his former colleagues have testified.

Advertisement
Advertisement

SBF Trial to Welcome Main Accused to the Stand

During a telephone conference between SBF’s lawyers, prosecutors, and Judge Lewis Kaplan on Wednesday, Mark Cohen, SBF’s lawyer confirmed that the 31-year-old will testify in his defense on Thursday and his testimony is likely to take the whole day. If this is the case, cross-examination may not happen until Friday. 

There had previously been speculations as to whether Bankman-Fried would testify, with some analysts seriously considering the possibility. It was said that if the billionaire finally decided to testify, it would take a few days. Markedly, Bankman-Fried is one of the three additional witnesses that his defense team plans to call to the stand.

The prosecution team is scheduled to complete the presentation of its case on October 26th after which the defense team will begin with their first witness. So far, the prosecution team has presented over a dozen witnesses in the trial including some former SBF associates. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

Prosecution’s Long Witness List

Cocoa bean trader Marc-Antoine Julliard who invested roughly $100,000 in cash and crypto which got stuck on FTX was the first witness from the prosecution team. He accused the former FTX boss of misusing billions of dollars in customers’ deposits.

Adam Yedidia, Bankman-Fried’s college roommate in MIT was one of those who took the stand in the first week of the fraud trial. In his testimony, he clarified that there was a bug in Alameda Research’s codes. This bug led to some discrepancies in the financial books of the company.

Precisely, the bug stopped Alameda’s liabilities from decreasing and Bankman-Fried was informed of the development but he chose to conceal the information. Besides Yedidia, Gary Wang has also testified uncovering fraudulent motives to bolster the prosecution’s charges.

The accused ex-girlfriend and business partner Caroline Ellison was also called to take the stand in the second week of the trial. Her testimonies noted Bankman-Fried’s plan to raise equity from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a revelation that shocked those following the trial.

With Bankman-Fried billed to take the stand next, it is not certain what argument he would make in a bid to defend himself from all the testimonies that have been made against him.

Advertisement
Godfrey Benjamin
Benjamin Godfrey is a blockchain enthusiast and journalists who relish writing about the real life applications of blockchain technology and innovations to drive general acceptance and worldwide integration of the emerging technology. His desires to educate people about cryptocurrencies inspires his contributions to renowned blockchain based media and sites. Benjamin Godfrey is a lover of sports and agriculture. Follow him on X, Linkedin
Why trust CoinGape: CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.