Against the Rules with Michael Lewis cover image

Against the Rules with Michael Lewis

Judging Sam: Nishad Singh Takes the Stand

Oct 17, 2023
In the courtroom drama surrounding Sam Bankman-Fried, Nishad Singh takes the stand, revealing a tangled web of friendship and betrayal. The emotional testimony uncovers alarming financial troubles and debts owed to FTX customers. As tensions rise, a pivotal Super Bowl party becomes a symbolic moment in their fraught relationship. Meanwhile, a surprising tangent dives into how monitoring your cat’s litter box can offer insights into their health, blending the serious with the quirky.
08:41

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Nishad Singh revealed Sam Bankman-Fried's concern over debts and convinced him to stay with FTX for its survival.
  • Michelle testified about Sam's extravagant spending habits and his disregard for objections, raising concerns about reckless spending.

Deep dives

Nishad's Testimony Reveals Concerns About Alameda's Debts

During the trial, Nishad, a key insider, testified about a pivotal moment when Sam suggested shutting down Alameda in September 2022. Nishad was startled to learn that Alameda owed FTX customers a significant amount of money. In a one-on-one conversation on the penthouse balcony, Sam acknowledged his concern about the debts, mentioning that it had affected his productivity. Nishad, feeling disturbed and betrayed, saw five years of hard work turn into something he considered evil. He wanted to quit, but Sam convinced him that FTX needed him for its survival.

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