FTX founder SBF faces trial, former colleague to testify as key witness

This week, Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the globally renowned cryptocurrency exchange FTX, will stand trial. This once-industry giant has been accused of misappropriating billions of dollars in customer funds and has now been closed for nearly a year. During the six-week trial, prosecutors will present a large amount of evidence, including testimonies, internal documents, and emails, to reveal the illegal activities of this exchange.

The most compelling evidence may come from SBF's former colleagues and friends. These include his ex-girlfriend Caroline Ellison and childhood friend Gary Wang, both of whom were deeply involved in the daily operations of FTX and its affiliated company Alameda Research. These individuals have reached plea agreements with the Department of Justice and will testify against SBF in court.

Key Witness

Caroline Ellison

As the former head of Alameda Research, Ellison is expected to be one of the most closely watched witnesses in the trial. She is likely to reveal the relationship between FTX and Alameda, as well as the number of FTT tokens held by FTX. Ellison is one of the few people who truly understands the inner workings of FTX; she has admitted to intentionally misleading lenders and securing an unlimited credit line from FTX for Alameda.

Ellison's testimony could become a key point in the trial, especially regarding the allegations that FTX and Alameda shared customer funds. Due to her past personal relationship with SBF, she may also provide some insights into the personal character of the former crypto mogul.

Nishad Singh

Singh is the former engineering chief of FTX and an early employee of Alameda. He was one of three people who controlled the keys to the FTX trading matching system, allowing him to freely transfer funds. Singh has pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges, including fraud and conspiracy.

Gary Wang

Wang is a co-founder of Alameda Research and FTX, and is a close friend of SBF. He served as the Chief Technology Officer of both companies and is considered a key figure at FTX. Wang has admitted to allowing Alameda to maintain an almost unlimited credit line at FTX.

Other Important Witnesses

In addition to the key figures mentioned above, there are also some expert witnesses who will testify:

• Andria van der Merwe: Financial Market Regulatory Economist
• Peter Easton: Professor at Notre Dame University, will discuss the financial situation of Alameda and FTX.
• Thomas Bishop: Business Consultant, specializing in forensic investigations and accounting issues.
• Brian Kim: Data Analysis and Forensics Expert
• Joseph Pimbley: Financial Risk Management Expert
• Andrew Di Wu: Professor of Finance and Technology at the University of Michigan

Uncertain Potential Witnesses

Some individuals closely associated with SBF have not yet been publicly listed as potential witnesses, including:

• Sam Trabucco: Former Co-CEO of Alameda Research
• Dan Friedberg: Former Chief Compliance Officer of FTX
• Ryan Salame: Former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets, has pled guilty but may not testify.

This trial will reveal the truth behind the collapse of FTX and some potential issues within the cryptocurrency industry. Regardless of the outcome, it will become an important milestone in the history of cryptocurrency.