What does a genius look like? Unkept hair, and casual, casually thrown-on, no-nonsense clothes were the look "in vogue" as per popular culture. This is the standard allegedly adopted by Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX to keep up with his "tech genius" persona.

<h2>A deliberate anti-style</h2>

Recently, Sam Bankman Fried took the stand during his blockbuster crypto trial, and before that, the tech genius got a haircut.&nbsp;

This style change happened just in time for the prosecutors' cross-examination which, as per the Guardian, included questions like whether the famously unkempt hair was a part of his deliberate, anti-style "tech genius" persona.

During the high drama trial testimony, New York assistant US attorney Danielle Sassoon, during her pointed cross-examination, asked Bankman-Fried about his persona and his unkept boy genius look that was allegedly used to woo investors.&nbsp;

During her testimony, the FTX founder's ex-girlfriend and Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison had claimed that Bankman-Fried's signature unruly mane of hair was an 'act'.

<h2>Sartorial choices and biting questions</h2>

Sassoon asked Bankman-Fried if he would "agree that you know how to tell a good story?" Deflecting the question, he answered, "it depends".

The attorney then grilled him on his sartorial or tailoring choices, asking him if he believed that cutting his signature unkept hair would have had a negative value because, as he allegedly said, earlier "it's important for people to think I look crazy."

However, the tech genius denied this and said, "I don't think I said that in that way". In a previous testimony, he had clarified that the only reason he did not cut his hair was because he was busy and lazy and that it was not a strategic decision.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tearful-caroline-ellison-reveals-bankman-frieds-instructed-her-to-falsify-records-commit-fraud-645793">Tearful Caroline Ellison reveals Bankman-Fried instructed her to falsify records, commit fraud</a>

The questions then moved on to his dressing choices, with Sassoon asking him whether he recalled telling an investor that "a T-shirt and shorts" were part of his brand, to a request to wear a suit. Bankman-Fried said he did not remember such a comment.

Focusing on his presentation and branding, Sassoon moved the spotlight onto the former CEO's intelligence.&nbsp;

The tech genius' defence attorney had attempted to portray him as an overwhelmed young man who "made mistakes" while trying to build a fast-growing venture.

Bankman-Fried too said, "I made a number of small mistakes and a number of large mistakes." However, the former CEO stuck to his earlier plea of not guilty.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/trial-of-ftx-founder-sam-bankman-fried-gets-underway-with-jury-selection-642267">Trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried gets underway with jury selection</a>

Ellison, along with two other former members of Bankman-Fried's inner circle, have pleaded guilty to fraud charges. They've also agreed to cooperate with the Manhattan US attorney general's office, reports Reuters.

However, Bankman-Fried has entered a not-guilty plea to two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy. He also contends that while he made mistakes running FTX, he never intended to steal funds.

Prosecutors allege that Bankman-Fried used customer funds to support Alameda, purchase real estate, and donate over $100 million to US political campaigns.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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What does a genius look like? Unkept hair, and casual, casually thrown-on, no-nonsense clothes were the look "in vogue" as per popular culture. This is the standard allegedly adopted by Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX to keep up with his "tech genius" persona.

What does a genius look like? Unkept hair, and casual, casually thrown-on, no-nonsense clothes were the look "in vogue" as per popular culture. This is the standard allegedly adopted by Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX to keep up with his "tech genius" persona. A deliberate anti-style Recently, Sam Bankman Fried took the stand during his blockbuster crypto trial, and before that, the tech genius got a haircut. This style change happened just in time for the prosecutors' cross-examination which, as per the Guardian, included questions like whether the famously unkempt hair was a part of his deliberate, anti-style "tech genius" persona. During the high drama trial testimony, New York assistant US attorney Danielle Sassoon, during her pointed cross-examination, asked Bankman-Fried about his persona and his unkept boy genius look that was allegedly used to woo investors. During her testimony, the FTX founder's ex-girlfriend and Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison had claimed that Bankman-Fried's signature unruly mane of hair was an 'act'. Sartorial choices and biting questions Sassoon asked Bankman-Fried if he would "agree that you know how to tell a good story?" Deflecting the question, he answered, "it depends". The attorney then grilled him on his sartorial or tailoring choices, asking him if he believed that cutting his signature unkept hair would have had a negative value because, as he allegedly said, earlier "it's important for people to think I look crazy." However, the tech genius denied this and said, "I don't think I said that in that way". In a previous testimony, he had clarified that the only reason he did not cut his hair was because he was busy and lazy and that it was not a strategic decision. Also read | Tearful Caroline Ellison reveals Bankman-Fried instructed her to falsify records, commit fraud The questions then moved on to his dressing choices, with Sassoon asking him whether he recalled telling an investor that "a T-shirt and shorts" were part of his brand, to a request to wear a suit. Bankman-Fried said he did not remember such a comment. Focusing on his presentation and branding, Sassoon moved the spotlight onto the former CEO's intelligence. The tech genius' defence attorney had attempted to portray him as an overwhelmed young man who "made mistakes" while trying to build a fast-growing venture. Bankman-Fried too said, "I made a number of small mistakes and a number of large mistakes." However, the former CEO stuck to his earlier plea of not guilty. Also read | Trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried gets underway with jury selection Ellison, along with two other former members of Bankman-Fried's inner circle, have pleaded guilty to fraud charges. They've also agreed to cooperate with the Manhattan US attorney general's office, reports Reuters. However, Bankman-Fried has entered a not-guilty plea to two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy. He also contends that while he made mistakes running FTX, he never intended to steal funds. Prosecutors allege that Bankman-Fried used customer funds to support Alameda, purchase real estate, and donate over $100 million to US political campaigns. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

I was just lazy: FTX's Bankman-Fried defends unkempt 'genius' hair, persona ex-gf said was an 'act'

FTX founder and ex-crypto billionaire Sam Bankman-fried has begun testifying in his own defence at his fraud trial. He said that "Lot of people got hurt" when the cryptocurrency exchange collapsed last year. But insisted he did not defraud anyone or steal billions of dollars from customers.

Sam Bankman-Fried testifies at crypto tria

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried briefly took the witness stand at his fraud trial on Thursday (Oct 26) before his testimony in his own defence. The development occurred after prosecutors finished presenting their case which accused Bankman-Fried of stealing billions of dollars from customers.

Bankman-Fried sat on the witness stand prior to&nbsp;the trial following a lunch break, Reuters reported/

He then returned to the defence table.

The prosecution rested its case after 12 days of daily hearings at a New York&nbsp;federal court.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened in these hearings?</h2>

In these hearings, the FTX colleagues of Bankman-Fried told the jury that he directed them to divert customer funds to his hedge fund. Bankman-Fried then asked his colleagues to&nbsp;lie to investors and lenders, according to these testimonies.

<h2>What next?&nbsp;</h2>

Bankman-Fried's decision will give prosecutors the chance to cross-examine the 31-year-old&nbsp;about those claims that he told colleagues to commit crimes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ftx-sues-its-own-founder-sam-bankman-fried-to-recover-over-1-bn-617976">FTX sues its own founder Sam Bankman-Fried to recover over $1 bn</a>

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy. If convicted, he could face decades in prison.

<h2>What have prosecutors said?</h2>

Prosecutors have said Bankman-Fried used the misappropriated funds to prop up his crypto-focused hedge fund, Alameda Research, and donated more than $100 million to US political campaigns.

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested and indicted on charges of conspiracy as well as wire fraud.

According to the federal US prosecutors, the ex-crypto chief committed "one of the biggest financial frauds in US history."&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX collapse

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Three of Bankman-Fried's&nbsp;former colleagues, who have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, tailored their testimony to implicate Bankman-Fried for receiving lenient sentences.

Bankman-Fried continues to maintain that he made mistakes while running the operations of FTX. But while maintaining plausible deniability, he claims that he never intended to steal funds.

Crypto exchange FTX went bankrupt last year after its executives including Sam Bankman-Fried spent billions in customer funds they had promised to safeguard. The total money lost stands at $7.7 billion, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

(With inputs from agencies)

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FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried briefly took the witness stand at his fraud trial on Thursday (Oct 26) before his testimony in his own defence. The development occurred after prosecutors finished presenting their case which accused Bankman-Fried of stealing billions of dollars from customers.

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried briefly took the witness stand at his fraud trial on Thursday (Oct 26) before his testimony in his own defence. The development occurred after prosecutors finished presenting their case which accused Bankman-Fried of stealing billions of dollars from customers. Bankman-Fried sat on the witness stand prior to the trial following a lunch break, Reuters reported/ He then returned to the defence table. The prosecution rested its case after 12 days of daily hearings at a New York federal court. What happened in these hearings? In these hearings, the FTX colleagues of Bankman-Fried told the jury that he directed them to divert customer funds to his hedge fund. Bankman-Fried then asked his colleagues to lie to investors and lenders, according to these testimonies. What next? Bankman-Fried's decision will give prosecutors the chance to cross-examine the 31-year-old about those claims that he told colleagues to commit crimes. Also read | FTX sues its own founder Sam Bankman-Fried to recover over $1 bn Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy. If convicted, he could face decades in prison. What have prosecutors said? Prosecutors have said Bankman-Fried used the misappropriated funds to prop up his crypto-focused hedge fund, Alameda Research, and donated more than $100 million to US political campaigns. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested and indicted on charges of conspiracy as well as wire fraud. According to the federal US prosecutors, the ex-crypto chief committed "one of the biggest financial frauds in US history." Also watch | Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX collapse × Three of Bankman-Fried's former colleagues, who have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, tailored their testimony to implicate Bankman-Fried for receiving lenient sentences. Bankman-Fried continues to maintain that he made mistakes while running the operations of FTX. But while maintaining plausible deniability, he claims that he never intended to steal funds. Crypto exchange FTX went bankrupt last year after its executives including Sam Bankman-Fried spent billions in customer funds they had promised to safeguard. The total money lost stands at $7.7 billion, according to a Wall Street Journal report. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sam Bankman-Fried takes witness stand at his own fraud trial

Caroline Ellison, a close associate and&nbsp;former girlfriend of Sam Bankman-Fried, on Wednesday testified that she was "terrified" that the truth would come out and that she was relieved when the FTX crypto exchange collapsed last year.

Ellison, the former co-CEO of Alameda Research, Bankman-Fried's crypto hedge fund, in a teary testimony during the fraud trial revealed that her former boyfriend had led her to commit fraud.

<h2>Anything for love?</h2>

As per Ellison's testimony, Bankman-Fried directed her to falsify Alameda's balance sheets. This was supposed to keep lenders at bay amid a downturn in cryptocurrency markets in 2022.

"I felt a sense of relief that I didn't have to lie anymore," she said tearfully.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/bankman-fried-trial-crypto-was-not-for-everyone-says-ftx-founders-lawyer-642709">Bankman-Fried trial: Crypto was not for everyone, says FTX founder's lawyer</a>

Ellison, who has confessed to assisting in misappropriating billions of FTX customer assets, revealed that these manipulated balance sheets hid the fact that Alameda had borrowed approximately $10 billion in FTX customer funds.

The Stanford University graduate also disclosed that&nbsp;Bankman-Fried instructed her to use the fund's line of credit on the FTX cryptocurrency exchange to repay loans in June 2022.

During her testimony, Ellison emphasised that Bankman-Fried did not adhere to principles like "don't lie" and "don't steal" and described himself as a "utilitarian" who believed that the most crucial rule was to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

<h2>Bankman-Fried's not guilty plea</h2>

Ellison, along with two other former members of Bankman-Fried's inner circle, have pleaded guilty to fraud charges. They've also agreed to cooperate with the Manhattan US attorney general's office, reports Reuters.

However, Bankman-Fried has entered a not-guilty plea to two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy. He also contends that while he made mistakes running FTX, he never intended to steal funds.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/trial-of-ftx-founder-sam-bankman-fried-gets-underway-with-jury-selection-642267">Trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried gets underway with jury selection</a>

Prosecutors allege that Bankman-Fried used customer funds to support Alameda, purchase real estate, and donate over $100 million to US political campaigns.&nbsp;

Gary Wang, FTX's former technology chief, also testified during the trial. As per Wang's testimony, Bankman-Fried falsely tweeted that FTX was "fine" in November, despite the exchange facing a surge in withdrawal demands. Another cooperating witness, former FTX engineering chief Nishad Singh, is expected to testify in the trial, which could, as per Reuters, last up to six weeks.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Caroline Ellison, a close associate and former girlfriend of Sam Bankman-Fried, on Wednesday testified that she was "terrified" that the truth would come out and that she was relieved when the FTX crypto exchange collapsed last year.

Caroline Ellison, a close associate and former girlfriend of Sam Bankman-Fried, on Wednesday testified that she was "terrified" that the truth would come out and that she was relieved when the FTX crypto exchange collapsed last year. Ellison, the former co-CEO of Alameda Research, Bankman-Fried's crypto hedge fund, in a teary testimony during the fraud trial revealed that her former boyfriend had led her to commit fraud. Anything for love? As per Ellison's testimony, Bankman-Fried directed her to falsify Alameda's balance sheets. This was supposed to keep lenders at bay amid a downturn in cryptocurrency markets in 2022. "I felt a sense of relief that I didn't have to lie anymore," she said tearfully. Also read | Bankman-Fried trial: Crypto was not for everyone, says FTX founder's lawyer Ellison, who has confessed to assisting in misappropriating billions of FTX customer assets, revealed that these manipulated balance sheets hid the fact that Alameda had borrowed approximately $10 billion in FTX customer funds. The Stanford University graduate also disclosed that Bankman-Fried instructed her to use the fund's line of credit on the FTX cryptocurrency exchange to repay loans in June 2022. During her testimony, Ellison emphasised that Bankman-Fried did not adhere to principles like "don't lie" and "don't steal" and described himself as a "utilitarian" who believed that the most crucial rule was to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Bankman-Fried's not guilty plea Ellison, along with two other former members of Bankman-Fried's inner circle, have pleaded guilty to fraud charges. They've also agreed to cooperate with the Manhattan US attorney general's office, reports Reuters. However, Bankman-Fried has entered a not-guilty plea to two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy. He also contends that while he made mistakes running FTX, he never intended to steal funds. Also read | Trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried gets underway with jury selection Prosecutors allege that Bankman-Fried used customer funds to support Alameda, purchase real estate, and donate over $100 million to US political campaigns. Gary Wang, FTX's former technology chief, also testified during the trial. As per Wang's testimony, Bankman-Fried falsely tweeted that FTX was "fine" in November, despite the exchange facing a surge in withdrawal demands. Another cooperating witness, former FTX engineering chief Nishad Singh, is expected to testify in the trial, which could, as per Reuters, last up to six weeks. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Tearful Caroline Ellison reveals Bankman-Fried instructed her to falsify records, commit fraud

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I was just lazy: FTX's Bankman-Fried defends unkempt 'genius' hair, persona ex-gf said was an 'act'

Sam Bankman-Fried testifies at crypto tria

Sam Bankman-Fried takes witness stand at his own fraud trial

Tearful Caroline Ellison reveals Bankman-Fried instructed her to falsify records, commit fraud