"The dark side of crypto! Stay alert. Always DYOR (Do Your Own Research). What’s your biggest lesson from the FTX story? Share below!"
#CryptoLessons #FTXCollapse #StaySafe #Crypt
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"Crypto's Crown Prince... To Convict: The Rise, Deceit, Exposure, and Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried
Once celebrated as the "Next Warren Buffett" of crypto, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) was seen as the savior of Web3. His exchange, FTX, was valued at a staggering $32 Billion. He was the poster boy of crypto revolution.
But behind the glittering facade, a ticking bomb was hiding...
The Strategy of Deception:
SBF promised users their funds were "safely stored".
Behind the scenes, billions were secretly funneled into his private hedge fund, Alameda Research.
"Guaranteed returns" promises and massive political lobbying painted a picture of invincibility.
The Reality:
Customers' money was used for high-risk gambling.
Hidden leverage, fake valuations, and internal loans were rampant.
The Exposure:
In early November 2022, a leaked balance sheet from Alameda Research surfaced, exposing their financial black hole.
CoinDesk, a major crypto news outlet, published the report.
Panic gripped the market.
CZ (Binance CEO) publicly announced selling all FTX's native token holdings ($FTT) citing "risk management".
This triggered a chain reaction — massive withdrawals, liquidity crunch, and the ultimate downfall!
The Collapse: In just 72 hours, FTX filed for bankruptcy. Billions vanished. Dreams shattered. Crypto's biggest betrayal unfolded live.
The Judgment: In March 2024, Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.
From the king of crypto to a convicted criminal — his fall shook the entire financial world.
Industry Giants Reacted:
Brian Armstrong (Coinbase CEO): "Trust must be earned — not bought with marketing dollars."
Elon Musk: "If something sounds too good to be true... it probably is."
CZ Binance: "Transparency > Hype. Always."
Key Takeaway:
Always verify, don't just trust.
Flashy marketing is not proof of solvency.
In crypto, safety lies in education and self-custody.