Michael Lewis Archives

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 a 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.

Michael Lewis

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

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