Caroline Ellison has been released from federal custody after serving approximately 14 months of a two-year sentence. The former head of Alameda Research was released early with good-conduct credits according to U.S. Bureau of Prisons records.
Caroline Ellison was released from jail today after serving 440 days, or 60%, of her 2 year sentence.
She pled guilty to fraud & conspiracy charges in 2022 following the FTX collapse.
Now that she's out, she has a 10-year ban on leading any public company or crypto exchange. pic.twitter.com/wUkiwTi4Bo
— Jacquelyn Melinek (@jacqmelinek) January 21, 2026
Ellison pleaded guilty in late 2022 to multiple fraud and conspiracy charges. These charges related to the misuse of FTX customer funds at the now-collapsed crypto exchange.
The 31-year-old executive served most of her sentence at a federal prison in Connecticut. She was later transferred to a residential reentry facility in New York before her full release.
Ellison’s cooperation with federal prosecutors proved crucial in the case against Sam Bankman-Fried. She testified extensively against the FTX founder during his trial in 2024.
This revelation triggered a loss of confidence in the exchange. The situation quickly spiraled into a liquidity crisis that brought down the entire operation.
Under her plea agreement and SEC settlements, Ellison agreed to forfeit $11 billion in assets. These assets were tied to the FTX and Alameda fraud scheme.
Ellison also accepted a 10-year ban on serving as an officer or director of any company. This restriction will limit her ability to hold corporate leadership positions through 2034.
The Bureau of Prisons’ Residential Reentry Management program facilitated her transition. This halfway house placement allows inmates to serve their final months under supervision.
The program provides career counseling and job placement support. It also offers financial management assistance to help former inmates reintegrate into society.
Ellison has not indicated any plans to return to the cryptocurrency industry. Her decade-long corporate leadership ban would prevent most high-level roles in the sector.
The contrast between Ellison’s sentence and Bankman-Fried’s remains stark. The FTX founder received a 25-year sentence and is currently serving time at a low-security federal prison in the Los Angeles area.
Bankman-Fried faces roughly $11 billion in restitution obligations. His case continues to represent one of the largest financial fraud prosecutions in recent history.
A Netflix limited series titled “The Altruists” is scheduled to premiere this fall. The show will star Julia Garner and Anthony Boyle chronicling the rise and collapse of Bankman-Fried and Ellison.
The post Caroline Ellison Walks Free While Sam Bankman-Fried Serves 25 Years appeared first on CoinCentral.
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