Judge rejects call to limit FTX founder’s communications

A US judge has refused to tighten the bail conditions of FTX founder Sam Bankman-fried designed to address potential witness-tampering concerns.

The proposals would have stopped Mr Bankman-fried communicating with most employees of the failed cryptocurrency exchange or his hedge fund, Alameda Research, without lawyers present or through encrypted messaging apps, such as Signal.

US district judge Lewis Kaplan did not provide reasons for his decision yesterday, despite Mr Bankman-fried and prosecutors reaching a deal to allow communication with certain employees pending court approval.

Mr Bankman-fried was bailed last year for $250m (£206.8m). He has pleaded not guilty to fraud and theft.