Sam Bankman-Fried’s legal team is seeking permission to cross-examine Gary Wang over FTX lawyers’ involvement in Alameda loan approvals.
FTX used Python code to fake its insurance fund figure: Gary Wang
FTX’s so-called “Backstop Fund” figure was a big lie, according to the former chief technology officer of the crypto exchange
Here’s How Sam Bankman-Fried Allegedly Used Customer Funds On Alameda Research
On day four of the criminal trial of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, Gary Wang, who co-founded the now-bankrupt crypto exchange and served as its former chief technology officer (CTO), testified. During his testimony, the former FTX executive revealed details about the connection between the cryptocurrency exchange and Alameda Research.
FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried Allegedly Gave Alameda Research ‘Special Privileges’
According to various reports, on Friday, October 6, Wang appeared again in court and testified that Alameda Research’s account on FTX was allowed to trade more funds than it had available. The former FTX CTO reportedly said that Sam Bankman-Fried authorized the integration of a “allow negative” feature, which afforded Alameda “special privileges” on FTX.
Wang reportedly revealed that the “allow negative” feature enabled Alameda to hold a negative balance more than FTX’s revenue at some point in 2020 ($200 million against $150 million). According to reports, Wang claimed that he increased Alameda’s line of credit several times and up to $65 billion under Bankman-Fried’s instructions.
When the government’s prosecutors questioned where the money came from, Wang reportedly affirmed that it came from FTX’s customers’ funds. Based on the co-founder’s testimony, Bankman-Fried claimed that the “allow negative” feature was all about FTT, a native cryptocurrency “created to act as equity in FTX.”
Wang reportedly acknowledged that the customers never authorized their funds to be used by Alameda Research. “The customers did not give us permission to use their accounts like this,” the former FTX chief technology officer allegedly said.
Did SBF Repeatedly Lie About Connections With Alameda?
During his testimony, Wang was asked whether he remembered Bankman-Fried making public statements about Alameda’s unusual connections with the FTX exchange. “Yes, he (SBF) said they (Alameda Research) were treated equally and didn’t use FTX funds,” the FTX cofounder allegedly affirmed.
Furthermore, the prosecutors showed Wang – and the court – a 2019 tweet from SBF claiming that Alameda was not using funds from FTX. Interestingly, Wang affirmed that Bankman-Fried ordered the addition of “allow negative” in the exchange’s codebase on the same day the tweet was made.
It appears that is not the only time Bankman-Fried lied about Alameda’s activities on the FTX exchange. The former FTX CTO testified that Bankman-Fried subsequently claimed on Twitter (now X) and on phone calls that customer funds were kept safe.
On Thursday, October 5, Gary Wang reportedly admitted to committing fraud-related crimes while at the FTX exchange alongside Sam Bankman-Fried, former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison, and former engineering director Nishad Singh. With the trial expected to continue till November, it remains to be seen whether or when the other former top FTX and Alameda executives will take the stand.
Sam Bankman-Fried’s Closest Friends Will Testify Against Him. Here’s Who Else We’ll Hear From
Several of Bankman-Fried’s former colleagues and friends will testify against the one-time crypto mogul following plea deals they struck with the U.S. Department of Justice, including his former romantic partner Caroline Ellison and childhood friend Gary Wang, who were both deeply involved in the daily workings of both FTX and its quant-driven trading shop, Alameda Research. Another two individuals, who prosecutors have yet to publicly name, may testify if granted immunity, suggesting they may also be tied to the exchange. The DOJ also announced over the weekend that prosecutors intend to call former FTX customers from around the world and investors as witnesses during the trial.
FTX court filing reveals former Alameda CEO’s $2.5M yacht purchase
The payment to the American Yacht Group was disclosed under the category of payments benefiting any insider within one year prior to the crypto exchange collapse.
FTX’s former law firm hit with lawsuit alleging it set up ‘shadowy entities’
The suit claims “shadowy entities” set up by Fenwick & West were allegedly used by FTX and former top executives to misappropriate customer funds.
FTX financial controls were a ‘hodgepodge’ of apps, says court filings
A court filing alleged apps such as Excel spreadsheets and Slack messages were used to manage the assets and liabilities of FTX and its entities.
SBF’s lawyers signal need to push back October criminal trial
Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyers said they’re still waiting on evidence from federal prosecutors and as a result need more time to prepare a defense.
Voyager Creditors Subpoena Sam Bankman-Fried, Other Former FTX, Alameda Executives
Voyager’s Creditors also subpoenaed Samuel Trabucco, Nishad Singh, Gary Wang, and Caroline Ellison
Sam Bankman-Fried, Caroline Ellison, and Other Company Insiders Subpoenaed by FTX for Documents
The Subpoenas come after a U.S. judge overseeing bankruptcy proceedings gave a green light to FTX’s Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors and its leadership to serve the insiders.
Sequoia Capital, Paradigm among VCs facing “tricky” FTX investor lawsuit
It’s a “tricky case,” as it is unknown what obligation these firms actually had to “completely separate investors,” suggests a crypto lawyer.
Robinhood board gives nod to buy Sam Bankman-Fried’s $578M stake
The shares were bought by FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and co-founder Gary Wang last year and have been tussled over since the collapse of FTX.
Voyager subpoenas FTX and Alameda execs as judge orders fee examiner
On behalf of Voyager, law firm Kirkland & Ellis subpoenaed four executives from FTX and Alameda requesting an enormous array of documents.
FTX former lead engineer in talks with federal prosecutors in Bankman-Fried case
A third former FTX-linked executive is reportedly considering providing evidence against Sam Bankman-Fried in an attempt for a more lenient sentence.
Breaking: Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang plead guilty to fraud charges
Both former executives of FTX and Alameda Research have been charged for their role in the “frauds” that led to FTX’s collapse.
FTX resumes paying staff and contractors after weeks in limbo
The payments will exclude former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, and certain former execs including Gary Wang, Nishad Singh, and Alameda’s Caroline Ellison.
Sam Bankman-Fried is ‘under supervision’ in Bahamas, looking to flee to Dubai
It is understood that Sam Bankman-Fried and two former FTX associates are currently being detained by Bahamian authorities.