Sam Bankman-Fried's fraud trial: How will he defend himself?

Currently jailed in Brooklyn, Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of fraud and conspiracy

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

Sam Bankman-Fried will likely defend himself at his fraud trial, due to begin on Tuesday, by arguing he did not think the use by his FTX cryptocurrency exchange of customer funds was improper and by challenging the credibility of those who say otherwise.

The arguments, which defense lawyers have hinted at in court filings, could help the 31-year-old former billionaire try to defeat charges he stole a fortune from FTX customers by arguing he lacked criminal intent despite making mistakes that led to the now-bankrupt exchange's November 2022 collapse.