Ryan Salame, former CEO of FTX Digital Markets who is currently serving a 7.5-year prison sentence, issued a public statement sharply criticizing the actions of the US Department of Justice. According to him, the investigation was aimed not at uncovering crimes but at targeting specific individuals and was politically motivated. In his statement, he also accused the department of hiding exculpatory evidence and intimidating witnesses.
Who Is Ryan Salame and His Role at FTX
Ryan Salame is the former head of FTX Digital Markets, now serving a 7.5-year prison term. In his statement, he emphasized his connection to political donations to the Republican Party and claims this was the reason behind the pressure from the investigation. For context on the charges and penalties faced by FTX executives, see the article on punishments of FTX executives.
Accusations Against the US Department of Justice
Salame asserts that the investigation, under an administration he describes as politically motivated, targeted specific individuals rather than uncovering facts. He calls the DOJ's actions an example of selective law enforcement and believes he was pressured due to his political donations. He also stated that opponents from another political group, in similar situations, avoided charges.
Salame's Defense Arguments
Salame lists several key arguments in his defense and describes documents he claims to have provided to investigators. He insists that the relevant transactions were recorded as loans and accompanied by consultations with legal and tax professionals.
- He claims to have presented the DOJ with evidence of the legality of loans from Alameda Research, recorded as credits in accounting.
- Salame points out that FTX International was a foreign company and did not serve US clients, while licenses were held by FTX US.
- According to him, deals involved internal and external lawyers, banks, and tax consultants who confirmed no additional permits were required.
Accusations Against Prosecutor Daniel Sassoon
The most notable part of the statement concerns allegations against prosecutor Daniel Sassoon: Salame claims he was offered a plea deal in exchange for dropping the investigation into his pregnant wife. He calls this pressure on his family and states that coercion to plead guilty and threats to relatives continued even after Judge Kaplan issued the sentence. According to Salame, these actions violate ethical standards of law enforcement.
Consequences and Next Steps
Salame stated that despite the sentence, he has maintained his dignity and intends to continue fighting for justice. In his statement, he insists that hiding exculpatory evidence and pressuring witnesses undermine trust in the process. For details on other high-profile arrests in the crypto sphere, see the article on the arrest of a case figure.
Why This Matters
For miners in Russia with any number of devices (from one to a thousand), Salame's statement is important primarily as an indicator of a public conflict between a defendant and law enforcement. This affects the industry's perception in the media and among politicians but does not directly change the technical operation of miners. It is important to understand the difference between legal disputes involving crypto exchange leadership and the operation of mining equipment.
If you follow the market and industry news, pay attention to legal details and official publications rather than quick conclusions in press releases. Information about trials and charges can shape public opinion but does not equate to immediate changes in mining algorithms or electricity access.
What to Do?
Miners' actions should be pragmatic and focused on protecting their business and equipment, regardless of legal disputes involving major players' leadership. Below are simple recommendations that do not depend on the case outcome and help reduce risks.
- Follow official statements from regulators and courts rather than social media summaries; this helps separate facts from interpretations.
- Maintain a reserve of accumulated income and review contracts with services — this reduces the impact of external legal shocks on your operation.
- Update and document accounting and taxes related to mining to have proof during audits or disputes.
- If necessary, consult a lawyer regarding interactions with exchanges and transfers, especially if using services operating outside Russia.