The Rise and Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried in 2022
The year 2022 saw the return of movies, the rise of Bad Bunny, and a surge in interest in the Bored Ape Yacht Club. Amidst these cultural shifts, Sam Bankman-Fried emerged as the youngest self-made billionaire, only to witness the collapse of his empire and end up in federal prison.
The first episode of the current season of Only If You Get Caught delves into Bankman-Fried's extraordinary rise and rapid decline, contextualizing his story within the economic landscape shaped by the Covid pandemic. This period allowed FTX to gain significant value due to the increased gambling culture that emerged during the pandemic.
Jacob Silverman, an author and expert on cryptocurrency and capitalism, contributes to the narrative. He has written extensively on these topics and shared insights during the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas in 2025. The show is available on YouTube and as a podcast, with transcripts accessible for listeners.
