Key Points:
- Bankman-Fried MIT friend, Gary Wang, testified against him, admitting involvement in a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme.
- Prosecutors allege Bankman-Fried orchestrated the transfer of billions from FTX customer funds to affiliated hedge fund Alameda.
- The testimony of Wang and other witnesses challenges Bankman-Fried’s claims of limited involvement.
According to Bloomberg, Gary Wang, one of the founders of FTX, stunned everyone in court with his testimony, where he disclosed a massive fraud scheme worth billions of dollars that ultimately caused the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange.
Bankman-Fried MIT Friend Reveals Multibillion-Dollar Fraud Scheme
Wang, who had previously pleaded guilty to fraud and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, made these explosive allegations against his onetime friend and MIT roommate, Sam Bankman-Fried.
Prosecutors allege that Bankman-Fried orchestrated a complex plan in which billions of dollars from FTX customer funds were secretly transferred to the affiliated hedge fund, Alameda Research. Wang’s testimony is expected to be a pivotal moment in the case against Bankman-Fried.
According to the Bankman-Fried MIT friend, the former FTX CEO directed him to modify FTX’s code, allowing Alameda Research to secure a staggering $65 billion line of credit. This withdrawal left FTX unable to meet customer withdrawal demands.
The unequal relationship between the two founders extended to Alameda Research, where Bankman-Fried held a 90% stake compared to Wang’s 10%. Bankman-Fried MIT friend highlighted how Bankman-Fried had the final say in conflicts.
Bankman-Fried’s involvement in Alameda Research also came under scrutiny. Bankman-Fried MIT friend testified that Bankman-Fried oversaw key decisions at FTX, including borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars from Alameda.
Key Witnesses Testify Against Sam Bankman-Fried
This testimony challenges Bankman-Fried’s defense, which argued that he was not closely involved with Alameda’s operations. Wang’s statements parallel those of Caroline Ellison, the CEO of Alameda, who has also pleaded guilty to fraud.
Another key witness, Adam Yedidia, a former MIT classmate who worked at FTX, revealed that Bankman-Fried was aware of an $8 billion shortfall in FTX due to loans to Alameda months before both companies collapsed. Yedidia, testifying under immunity, expressed concern that FTX customers might be affected.
Intriguingly, Yedidia described Bankman-Fried’s nervousness about the situation, which was atypical of their friendship. He also mentioned receiving a $6 million cash bonus and investing it in FTX stock.
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Source: https://coincu.com/221936-bankman-fried-mit-friend-reveal/