Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried visited the White Home to debate pandemic prevention and cryptocurrency, based on a press release on Jan. 3.
White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned:
“The White Home recurrently engages with officers from a variety of industries and sectors … this assembly with Sam Bankman-Fried was targeted on pandemic prevention-related issues and cryptocurrency and crypto exchanges.”
Particularly, Jean-Pierre mentioned that these conferences targeted on pandemic prevention efforts from one in every of Bankman-Fried’s foundations. Although she didn’t point out which basis was mentioned, attendees could have mentioned the now-defunct FTX Future Fund, who as soon as donated $1.5 million to Stanford College for pandemic prevention.
The attendees can also have mentioned Guarding Towards Pandemics — a non-profit group previously operated by Bankman-Fried’s brother, Gabriel. Gabriel Bankman-Fried was current at a number of the White Home conferences.
Jean-Pierre admitted that the conferences concerned discussions in regards to the cryptocurrency business, emphasizing “normal.” She mentioned:
“The administration has been clear in regards to the want for Congress to take motion…once we discuss addressing cryptocurrency.”
Regarding authorities motion on crypto, Jean-Pierre famous that President Biden launched an govt order on cryptocurrency final March and launched a shopper safety framework final fall. She additionally famous that Janet Yellen, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, has renewed requires cryptocurrency regulation.
Bankman-Fried visited with White Home workers on no less than 4 events final yr. The primary three visits came about in April, and Might 2022, and the latest in September. These conferences have been attended by Steve Ricchetti, Counselor to the President, and Bruce Reed, White Home Deputy Chief of Workers.
Bankman-Fried’s political actions have come beneath scrutiny on account of his frequent political donations. Naturally, any visits to the White Home could elevate suspicion that he visited to affect the Democratic get together to create extra permissive legal guidelines and laws that will favor his cryptocurrency firm.
Certainly, Bankman-Fried has overtly aimed to affect politics. He donated $40 million to numerous U.S. politicians — largely Democrats — during the last political cycle. Bankman-Fried later defended his actions by stating that he additionally quietly donated to Republican politicians and that his donations have been targeted on pandemic prevention.
Bankman-Fried’s political actions have been nonetheless included in current allegations, as he was charged with conspiracy to keep away from marketing campaign finance laws final month.
