Ryan Salame, a former executive at FTX, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for violations including campaign finance law and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. This sentence, handed down in Manhattan's U.S. District Court, surpasses the recommended five to seven years. Salame, aged 30 and a key figure in the FTX organization, is the first from Sam Bankman-Fried’s inner circle to be incarcerated following the company's 2022 collapse.
During his sentencing, Ryan Salame wore a blue suit and socks emblazoned with the Bitcoin logo. The choice of attire, particularly the Bitcoin-themed socks, can be seen as symbolic. It reflects his connection to the cryptocurrency industry, which is the sector where he committed his crimes as an executive at FTX. This could be interpreted as a subtle nod to his background and perhaps a statement of his ongoing identification with the crypto world, despite the legal and ethical controversies surrounding his actions and the collapse of FTX.
Ryan Salame, a former top executive at the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. This sentence exceeds the five to seven years that prosecutors had recommended. Salame's defense lawyers had requested an 18-month sentence. He pleaded guilty to a campaign finance law violation and a charge of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.