Sam Bankman-Fried’s legal team has appealed his 25-year prison sentence for fraud, arguing he was unfairly judged based on a biased judge and media pressure. The appeal focuses on the alleged prejudice of Judge Lewis Kaplan, including dismissal of his testimony and barring arguments about FTX’s solvency. Prosecutors argue that their trial, which lasted over a month, was conclusive, with three former colleagues (Gary Wang, Nishad Singh, and Caroline Ellison) providing damning evidence of funds misappropriated from the platform. The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for the crypto industry as it raises critical questions about accountability in a sector still reeling from FTX’s collapse. 2026 could see further legal proceedings if the appeals court doesn’t overturn the conviction, but the current situation is already raising debate surrounding the future of digital finance.