Discover this podcast and so much more

Podcasts are free to enjoy without a subscription. We also offer ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more for just $11.99/month.

The Naked Emperor Episode 1: The Hype

The Naked Emperor Episode 1: The Hype

FromUnderstood


The Naked Emperor Episode 1: The Hype

FromUnderstood

ratings:
Length:
34 minutes
Released:
Mar 13, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Sam Bankman-Fried wasn't like other crypto moguls: he drove a Toyota Corolla, he was an advocate for government regulation, he said he would give billions away to charity. That is, until he lost it all in what has been called “one of history’s greatest-ever destructions of wealth.”

Sam Bankman-Fried, aka SBF, had an empire. His cryptocurrency exchange, FTX, and hedge fund, Alameda Research, together were worth billions. Celebrities sang his praises, and politicians took his donations.

Then, it all collapsed – almost overnight. There were millions of FTX customers. Now, they don’t know where their money is.

Host Jacob Silverman, co-author of a forthcoming book about crypto and fraud, takes a closer look at the hype around SBF and FTX, and how it only grew, even as other crypto companies crashed around them. How powerful was Sam Bankman-Fried? And how did he initially manage to hang on, to thrive even, as other giants tumbled towards bankruptcy?
Released:
Mar 13, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (14)

Sam Bankman-Fried was at the top of the game. The 30-year-old billionaire was the trusted face of crypto with his trading platform FTX. Its logo was on the Miami Heat’s arena and the uniforms of Major League Baseball umpires. Despite his dorm room lifestyle he charmed celebrities, politicians, and Silicon Valley. That is, until it all came crashing down. Today Sam faces charges that could send him to jail for the rest of his life. The Naked Emperor is a 4-part series about the stratospheric rise and spectacular fall of Sam Bankman-Fried. Tech/crypto journalist and host Jacob Silverman takes listeners on a wild ride in search of an answer to the question ... 'How did Sam Bankman-Fried happen?' (Familiarity with crypto very much not required).