Economics

Visualizing FTX's Ponzi Scheme

The graft must be visualized to be believed.

Dispatch Economics 1 min read Brendan Hart
Visualizing FTX's Ponzi Scheme

Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX's notorious founder, ran a modern-day ponzi scheme. Rather than retirees, his victims were sycophantic believers in cryptocurrency.

Like Trump, Bankman-Fried has only disdain for his most loyal supporters. How else could one explain how customer deposits (lefthand side) were used as a personal slush fund?

The graft must be visualized to be believed.

Flow chart with dozens of entries, with many green lines showing commingled funds

White-collar pain

Sam Bankman-Fried, currently detained in a Brooklyn prison, is not doing well these days. And, despite his deep pockets, Bankman-Fried's nightmare is likely just starting.

Properly delivered, justice can be long and harsh.

Brendan Hart

About the Author

Brendan Hart

Brendan Hart is an economist, entrepreneur, and executive advisor with two decades of experience building organizations and leading transformation across technology, defense, human capital, and government. USMC. Dartmouth. UVA-Darden.