[Now True] “Downfall of the Crypto King”
Examines the Rise and Fall of SBF
Sam Bankman-Fried (also known as “SBF”), co-founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has recently been back in the news. On March 28, 2024, SBF was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a Manhattan court and ordered to forfeit $11 billion in assets. As the cryptocurrency market continues to experience volatility, what reflections can we gain from watching “Downfall of the Crypto King”?
The first 2 minutes and 32 seconds of the film feature a powerful and information-packed opening sequence! This opening sets the tone for SBF’s character, portraying him as a man full of contradictions. The question “Were you incompetent or were you fraudulent?” becomes the hook that draws you into the story. Many biographical documentaries simply present a chronological account of the subject’s life, but “Downfall of the Crypto King” takes a more deliberate approach, guiding the audience to understand SBF. Whether he was incompetent or a fraud is left for the viewers to decide.
Synopsis
“Downfall of the Crypto King” tells the story of SBF’s meteoric rise and subsequent downfall. The film features interviews with dozens of former FTX insiders and individuals involved in the cryptocurrency industry, documenting the collapse of a company valued at approximately $40 billion, its eventual bankruptcy declaration, and the fraud charges faced by its owners in November 2022. The film also explores previously overlooked warning signs, including endorsements from numerous celebrities, Sam’s overtly intellectual persona, and his promises of billions of dollars, all of which seemed too good to be true.
“Downfall of the Crypto King” recounts one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.
“This is one of the biggest financial frauds in American history,” someone in the documentary describes the case.
“No one has lost more money more quickly than Sam Bankman-Fried in the first two weeks of November 2022.” one interviewee points out.
“Were you incompetent or were you fraudulent?” SBF faces this question in an interview.
“Were you incompetent or were you fraudulent? becomes the central theme of the documentary Downfall of the Crypto King.
The program generated significant buzz when it aired internationally. Although “Downfall of the Crypto King” follows the typical rise-and-fall narrative structure of a biography, the extensive interviews with relevant individuals, combined with dynamic editing, add a dramatic flair and make it a compelling watch.