Jake Thacker, a tech worker from Oregon, shares his story of betting big on FTX and ending up bankrupt and uncertain about his future. Topics discussed include Jake's journey into crypto investing, the collapse of FTX, selling personal belongings to repay debts, the impact on Jake's life, and the challenges of admitting victimhood.
FTX collapse led to financial ruin for investors, resulting in bankruptcy and loss of personal assets.
Lack of accountability and restitution for victims in criminal case against Sam Bankman-Fried.
Deep dives
Investing in Crypto and Choosing FTX as a Cryptocurrency Exchange
The interviewee shares that he initially dabbled in crypto as a hobby, but eventually saw the potential for larger gains. He chose FTX as a cryptocurrency exchange due to its lower transaction fees compared to other platforms like Coinbase or Binance.
The Collapse of FTX and the Loss of Funds
The interviewee recounts his experience when FTX collapsed in November 2022. He explains that there were warning signs and rumors of a hack before the official announcement of the collapse. Once the collapse was confirmed, he lost all the money he had invested in the platform, amounting to around $206,000. This loss significantly impacted his financial stability and forced him to file for bankruptcy.
Impacts and Reflections on the FTX Failure
The interviewee discusses the personal and emotional impacts of losing his investment in FTX. He describes the financial hardships that ensued, including being sued by creditors and having to sell personal assets. His perspective on crypto has changed, and he expresses reluctance to invest again in the future. He also shares his dissatisfaction with the criminal case against Sam Bankman-Fried, wishing for more direct accountability and restitution for the victims.
Voices of the victims of Sam Bankman-Fried’s alleged crimes have been few and far between during the prosecution’s presentation of its case. On today’s show, Lidia Jean Kott sits down with Jake Thacker, a tech worker from Portland, Oregon who borrowed money to bet big on FTX, only to be left holding the bag. He says he’s now bankrupt and unsure whether he’ll be able to keep his home.
This conversation was recorded on October 23.
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