Sam Kessler

Sam is CoinDesk's deputy managing editor for tech and protocols. His reporting is focused on decentralized technology, infrastructure and governance. Sam holds a computer science degree from Harvard University, where he led the Harvard Political Review. He has a background in the technology industry and owns some ETH and BTC. Sam was part of the team that won a 2023 Gerald Loeb Award for CoinDesk's coverage of Sam Bankman-Fried and the FTX collapse.

Sam Kessler

Latest from Sam Kessler


Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried Guilty on All 7 Counts in FTX Fraud Trial

A tentative sentencing date was set for March 28, 2024. Bankman-Fried could spend decades in prison and potentially up to 115 years.

Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried Lambasted by Prosecutor Right Before Jurors Began Deciding His Fate: SBF Thought 'He Could Fool the World'

A verdict in the SBF trial could come before the end of Thursday – on the first anniversary of the CoinDesk scoop that caused his empire to crumble.

Sam Bankman-Fried leaves his arraignment and bail hearing on Dec. 22, 2022, in New York City. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried on Verge of Tears as His Lawyer Concludes Defense

The alleged fraudster and ex-FTX CEO acted "in good faith," Bankman-Fried's attorney said in an emotional closing argument.

Trial of Sam Bankman-Fried (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried Again Blames Underlings for Woes as FTX Founder Wraps Up Testimony

"So, it's your testimony that your supervisees told you to stop asking questions?" asked a prosecutor. "Did you call in your lieutenants and ask 'who spent $8 billion?'"

FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried exiting a federal courthouse in New York last year. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried's Post-Collapse Media Blitz Has Clearly Backfired

The FTX founder was grilled Monday by a prosecutor, who used the many words he said to journalists after his crypto company's collapse against him.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Andrew Ross Sorkin and Sam Bankman-Fried on stage at the 2022 New York Times DealBook on November 30, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for The New York Times)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried Grilled by Prosecutor, Who Points Out Contradictions in His Testimony

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon repeatedly cornered the FTX founder on his public statements about his involvement with his affiliated trading firm Alameda and the safety of exchange customer assets.

Sam Bankman-Fried (Liz Napolitano/CoinDesk)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried Throws Caroline Ellison Under Bus in Testimony

The former FTX mogul said he asked Alameda Research, the trading firm that played a central role in the exchange’s demise and was run by his former girlfriend, to hedge risks.

Sam Bankman-Fried (Liz Napolitano/CoinDesk)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried's Jurors Were Sent Home for the Day, but His Debut on the Stand Was Significant Anyway

Even though jurors weren't there to hear the former crypto mogul, the ex-FTX CEO's first appearance on the witness stand was still remarkable.

Despite claims by right-wing political figures, Sam Bankman-Fried was definitely not a free man when he (right) exited a Manhattan courtroom on July 26, 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)