Michael Lewis Chronicles Sam Bankman-Fried’s Journey in New Book

The renowned author Michael Lewis, well known for his works like “The Big Short” and “Moneyball,” has started a lengthy promotional tour for his most recent book, “Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon.” Sam Bankman-Fried, co-founder and former CEO of FTX, lived a fascinating life, which is explored in this book’s compelling tale.

Inside the “60 Minutes” Interview

In a recent “60 Minutes” interview as part of his promotional efforts, Michael Lewis spoke about Sam Bankman-Fried, the interesting protagonist of his novel. Lewis provided insights into the multifaceted personality of the FTX founder during the interview.

Lewis acknowledged that FTX had a legitimate business foundation, stating, “FTX actually had a great real business — If no one had ever cast aspersions on the business, if there hadn’t been a run on customer deposits, they’d still be sitting there making tons of money.”

Lewis intriguingly disclosed that Bankman-Fried has interests outside of the bitcoin industry. These addressed issues with democracy, effective altruism, and pandemic prevention. Lewis also brought up a rumored $5 billion offer made by Bankman-Fried to Donald Trump to have him withdraw from the candidacy for president.

Michael Lewis provided further insights into Bankman-Fried’s personality during the interview. Despite his unconventional demeanor, Bankman-Fried formed a close bond with football legend Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion. Lewis noted, “Brady thought he was just a really interesting person. I think he liked to hear what he had to say.”

Although Lewis’ “60 Minutes” interview revealed more of Bankman-Fried’s complex personality, it was also met with criticism from some viewers. Sam Callahan, a Swan Bitcoin expert, said that since FTX functioned as an exchange, it was required to provide consumers with a 1:1 asset backing ratio. Callahan denied that FTX had a viable company, claiming that “it was pure fraud.”

When questioned about Bankman-Fried’s top concern in the event of 100-year sentence, Lewis offered an unexpected perspective. He acknowledged that Bankman-Fried’s greatest worry was losing internet connection, highlighting his conviction that he could spend an endless amount of time in jail as long as he had access to the internet.