Former CEO Reveals Alameda Research's Massive Line of Credit and Fraud Conspiracy at FTX

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Former CEO Reveals Alameda Research's Massive Line of Credit and Fraud Conspiracy at FTX

Caroline Ellison, the ex-CEO of Alameda Research, testified in court on Tuesday, unveiling a significant revelation about the defunct crypto hedge fund's "essentially unlimited" line of credit at FTX. Ellison, a Stanford University graduate with close ties to FTX founder Bankman-Fried, admitted to participating in a scheme that defrauded customers, lenders, and investors of the now-collapsed crypto exchange platform. During her testimony, Ellison disclosed that she had been instructed by Bankman-Fried to use FTX customers' deposits to repay loans and finance Alameda Research investments. The trading firm borrowed approximately $14 billion, but when the crypto exchange failed, it was unable to repay all of its debts. Ellison's testimony followed the confession of Gary Wang, the enigmatic co-founder of FTX, who admitted to programming the fraudulent activities of the exchange. Both individuals pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges after Bankman-Fried was extradited from the Bahamas. Bankman-Fried's defense team is expected to challenge Ellison's credibility during cross-examination. The court proceedings also highlighted Ellison's pivotal role in the case as emphasized by Assistant United States Attorney Thane Rehn in his opening statement. Following the jury's departure, Bankman-Fried maintained a composed demeanor while closing his laptop.