The trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, the fallen crypto titan, began amidst much anticipation and media frenzy outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse. The courtroom was filled with potential jurors, spectators, and prominent figures in the crypto industry. The first day focused on jury selection, with Judge Lewis B. Kaplan reading out the charges against Bankman-Fried and laying down the rules for the trial. The atmosphere was a mix of seriousness and lightheartedness, with Judge Kaplan asking humorous questions and making references to popular culture. The day ended without finalizing the jury selection, but it is expected to be completed the following day.
As selection progressed, Judge Kaplan went deeper with his questions, referring to a 60 Minutes segment featuring famed author Michael Lewis, who had just published a book about Bankman-Fried. Bankman-Fried himself remained attentive and focused during the process, typing away on his laptop. One interesting moment was when a list of potential witnesses and institutions involved in the trial was read out, including well-known names like Anthony Scaramucci and institutions like Jane Street Capital and Binance. The day ended with the expectation of opening statements and the appearance of the first witnesses the following day.
Despite the trial being the focus of attention, external events like House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ouster also made headlines, adding to the already eventful week. The trial represents a significant moment for both Bankman-Fried and the cryptocurrency industry as a whole, with the outcome potentially having far-reaching implications.
