New Delhi, June 8 -- Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has formally applied for a presidential pardon from US President Donald Trump while serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud and conspiracy.

According to records published by the Office of the Pardon Attorney within the US Department of Justice, Bankman-Fried's pardon request is currently listed as "pending."

The move comes despite Trump's earlier comments indicating he was unlikely to grant clemency to the former crypto executive.

Known widely by his initials "SBF," Bankman-Fried rose to prominence as one of the most influential figures in the cryptocurrency industry. Before turning 30, he had amassed a multibillion-dollar fortune and tran...