Apple's $5 Million Investment: The Untold Sam Bankman-Fried Saga

Apple's $5 Million Investment: The Untold Sam Bankman-Fried Saga

In a move that has raised eyebrows across the literary and cryptocurrency worlds, Apple, the world's most valuable company with a market cap nearing $3 trillion, has reportedly secured the rights to an upcoming book centered around the enigmatic figure of Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX.

This forthcoming book, which is poised to become one of many documentaries and short TV series about the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried and his former crypto empire, has captured the attention of readers and investors alike. FTX's dramatic decline in the latter half of 2022 sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency industry and beyond, resulting in substantial losses for investors.

Samuel Bankman-Fried, once celebrated as the golden boy of the crypto industry, now finds himself at the center of a high-profile legal battle. While numerous former FTX and Alameda executives have pleaded guilty to allegations of scamming users and investors, SBF has steadfastly refused to do so. His trial is scheduled to commence on October 3, marking a pivotal moment in his legal saga.

Interestingly, the release of Michael Lewis' upcoming book, titled "Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon," coincides with the start of SBF's trial. The book is expected to provide an in-depth exploration of a year in Sam Bankman-Fried's life, chronicling his meteoric rise, dramatic downfall, arrest, and extradition. It promises to shed light on the intricate details of a captivating narrative that has captured the imagination of many.

The rights to author this highly anticipated book sparked a fierce bidding war, ultimately culminating in Apple's victory. The tech giant reportedly secured these rights for an astonishing $5 million, an unprecedented sum for an unpublished book. To put this figure in perspective, it surpasses previous records, such as the $6 million paid for "The Da Vinci Code" and the $2 million for the rights to the first four movies in the Harry Potter series.

As the book delves into the tumultuous events of SBF's life, it will offer readers a glimpse into his arrest and extradition process. Bankman-Fried's arrest in The Bahamas, where he and several FTX Alameda executives were residing, and his subsequent transfer to the United States marked a significant turning point in his legal journey. His release on a $250 million bond and subsequent re-incarceration due to allegations of witness tampering, including with his former girlfriend Caroline Ellison, add layers of complexity to the narrative.

The conditions of his imprisonment in one of the reportedly most dire facilities in the United States, overcrowded and with limited dietary options for a vegan like SBF, provide further insight into the challenges he faced during this time.

As Apple invests $5 million in this compelling narrative, the book promises to offer readers a gripping account of Sam Bankman-Fried's rollercoaster journey, leaving no stone unturned in the exploration of his life, legal battles, and the broader implications for the cryptocurrency industry. The release of "Going Infinite" is poised to be a significant event in both the literary and crypto spheres, captivating audiences eager to understand the enigma that is SBF.

Back to blog