Ryan Salame Faces 5-7 Years in Prison for Role in FTX Collapse

Federal prosecutors have recommended a five to seven-year prison sentence for Ryan Salame, a former executive at the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX. 

Meanwhile, this recommendation comes as part of the broader investigation into FTX’s downfall, which has seen legal repercussions for several key figures involved in the scandal.

Ryan Salame faces a prison sentence due to his involvement in substantial criminal activities, including violations of campaign finance laws and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. According to the sentencing memo filed in the Manhattan federal court, U.S. prosecutors emphasized the gravity of Salame’s actions, describing them as part of one of the largest campaign finance offenses in American history.

Prosecutors highlighted that Salame facilitated FTX’s acceptance of over $1 billion in customer deposits without proper licensing. This illicit activity contributed to the cryptocurrency exchange’s multibillion-dollar collapse. The prosecutors assert that a substantial prison sentence is necessary to ensure Salame receives appropriate punishment for his crimes.

Legal Defense and Mitigation Efforts

Salame’s legal team is advocating for a much lighter sentence of no more than 18 months. They argue that Salame has cooperated with authorities and made efforts to alert regulators about potential fraud within FTX. His attorneys also point to his circumstances, including his treatment for substance abuse and his efforts to start anew with his partner and child.

As part of his plea deal, Salame has agreed to forfeit nearly $6 million worth of assets, including a restaurant in Massachusetts. His legal team has submitted 28 letters from friends and family to the court, attesting to his character and contributions outside his criminal activities. They portray Salame as a well-meaning individual who is a manipulative leader.

Broader Context and FTX Collapse

Ryan Salame joined Alameda Research, FTX’s sister hedge fund, in 2019 and later became the CEO of FTX’s Bahamas subsidiary in 2021. His role in FTX’s operations, particularly in facilitating unlicensed money transmissions, has made him a central figure in the legal fallout from the exchange’s collapse.

FTX collapsed in November 2022 amid allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation of billions of dollars in customer funds involving its owners and affiliated hedge fund Alameda Research. Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, has already been sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to reimburse $11 billion.

The collapse of FTX has had widespread repercussions in the cryptocurrency industry, highlighting the importance of regulatory compliance and proper oversight. Salame’s sentencing is a crucial moment in the ongoing efforts to address the legal and financial aftermath of the FTX scandal.

Salame’s case marks the first sentencing of a top lieutenant of Sam Bankman-Fried. Other key figures in the FTX scandal, such as Caroline Ellison, Nishad Singh, and Gary Wang, are still awaiting their sentences. The crypto community and regulators are closely watching the outcomes of these cases.

In early May, reports indicated that FTX had amassed billions more than required to cover its collapse-related losses. This development, hailed by FTX CEO John Ray as an “unbelievable result,” suggests that the exchange is ready to reimburse its over 2 million customers fully. However, the legal and financial repercussions of FTX’s collapse continue to unfold, with significant attention paid to how such a large-scale financial disaster occurred.