FTX Founder Faces Intensive Cross-Examination by Prosecutors in Ongoing Trial
Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, faced rigorous questioning from federal prosecutors on Wednesday regarding his practices of deleting messages and the alleged use of customer funds during his tenure as CEO of the now-defunct crypto exchange.
Prosecutors Probe Use of Encrypted Messaging App Signal
The prosecutors focused their inquiry on Bankman-Fried's use of the encrypted messaging app Signal, specifically his utilization of the auto-delete feature in 2021. Bankman-Fried admitted that he did not seek explicit legal approval for deleting messages but believed that it was permitted under FTX's document retention policy implemented that year. The Inner City Press recorded Bankman-Fried's testimony.
Failure to Preserve Messages and Violation of Policy
When asked whether he should have retained conversations with former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison, including financial spreadsheets, Bankman-Fried acknowledged that such discussions did not require reporting. However, prosecutors questioned whether he violated the policy by deleting messages related to the closure of Alameda and its reported $13 billion deficit. Bankman-Fried responded by saying, "I don't recall such conversations."
Questions Regarding FTX Customer Funds and North Dimension Bank Accounts
Prosecutors also inquired about the transfer of FTX customer funds through North Dimension bank accounts, associated with Alameda. Although Bankman-Fried signed documents identifying it as a trading firm, he claimed to be unaware of any actual trading activities. When asked if he had discussed the use of the account to accept customer funds with lawyers, he replied, "I'm not entirely sure."
Failure to Discuss Funds Originating from FTX Customer Accounts
Bankman-Fried stated that he did not inform lawyers that the funds were sourced from FTX customer accounts. He clarified, "I would not characterize it that way. So no, I didn't discuss that with lawyers." Throughout his testimony, Bankman-Fried maintained that he did not engage in embezzlement of customer assets, even when not obligated to respond to the prosecutor's question. However, he emphasized the importance of providing an answer.
Bankman-Fried's defense attorney, Mark Cohen, reminded him that he was not obligated to answer after a sustained period of questioning. Cohen remarked, "Haven't you been here for four weeks?"
Continuation of Proceedings and Bankman-Fried's Plea
The proceedings in Judge Kaplan's courtroom will resume on Friday morning. The prosecution team is expected to conduct an extensive line of inquiry. Despite facing multiple charges, Bankman-Fried has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all allegations. It's worth noting that the federal prosecutors conducted their interrogation without the presence of a jury.
What are your thoughts on Bankman-Fried's testimony and cross-examination by federal prosecutors? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
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Remember that you will not see any returns unless you are retired if you open an Account. Keep your eyes open for the future.
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The price of gold fluctuates based on supply and demand. It is also affected negatively by interest rates.
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What are some of the benefits of a gold IRA
You can save money on retirement by putting your money into an Individual Retirement Account. You can withdraw it at any time, but it is tax-deferred. You have complete control over how much you take out each year. There are many types of IRAs. Some are more suitable for students who wish to save money for college. Some are for investors who seek higher returns. Roth IRAs, for example, allow people to contribute after they turn 59 1/2. They also pay taxes on any earnings when they retire. These earnings don't get taxed if they withdraw funds. This type of account might be a good choice if your goal is to retire early.
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Gold was considered a safety net for investors during times of economic turmoil in the past. Many people today are moving away from stocks and bonds to look at precious metals, such as gold, as a way to diversify their investments.
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Many benefits come with a gold IRA. It is an investment vehicle that can diversify your portfolio. You decide how much money you want to put into each account, and when you want it to be withdrawn.
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There are, however, some drawbacks. Gold is historically volatile. Understanding why you want to invest in gold is essential. Are you looking for growth or safety? Are you looking for growth or insurance? Only once you know, that will you be able to make an informed decision.
If you are planning to keep your Gold IRA indefinitely you will want to purchase more than one ounce. A single ounce isn't enough to cover all of your needs. Depending on your plans for using your gold, you may need multiple ounces.
If you're planning to sell off your gold, you don't necessarily need a large amount. You can even manage with one ounce. These funds won't allow you to purchase anything else.
Statistics
- You can only purchase gold bars at least 99.5% purity. (forbes.com)
- If you accidentally make an improper transaction, the IRS will disallow it and count it as a withdrawal, so you would owe income tax on the item's value and, if you are younger than 59 ½, an additional 10% early withdrawal penalty. (forbes.com)
- Contribution limits$6,000 (49 and under) $7,000 (50 and up)$6,000 (49 and under) $7,000 (50 and up)$58,000 or 25% of your annual compensation (whichever is smaller) (lendedu.com)
- If you take distributions before hitting 59.5, you'll owe a 10% penalty on the amount withdrawn. (lendedu.com)
- (Basically, if your GDP grows by 2%, you need miners to dig 2% more gold out of the ground every year to keep prices steady.) (smartasset.com)
External Links
cftc.gov
bbb.org
investopedia.com
irs.gov
How To
The growing trend of gold IRAs
Investors are increasingly turning to gold IRAs as a way to diversify and protect their portfolios from inflation.
Owners can invest in gold bars and bullion with the gold IRA. It can be used for tax-free growth and provides an alternative investment option for those concerned about stocks and bonds.
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Physical gold is also a great investment option, as it has unique properties like durability, portability, divisibility, and portability.
In addition, the gold IRA offers several other advantages, including the ability to quickly transfer ownership of the gold to heirs and the fact that the IRS does not consider gold a currency or a commodity.
This means that investors who are looking for financial safety and security are becoming more interested in the gold IRA.
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By: Jamie Redman
Title: Prosecutors Question Sam Bankman-Fried's Memory in FTX Case Without Jury
Sourced From: news.bitcoin.com/prosecutors-probe-sam-bankman-frieds-memory-in-ftx-case-without-jury/
Published Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 13:30:55 +0000
Did you miss our previous article…
https://altcoinirareview.com/the-longevity-of-bitcoin-examined-insights-from-market-strategist-gareth-soloway/
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