Crypto Journalist
Amin Ayan
Crypto Journalist
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Caroline Ellison, the former co-CEO of Alameda Research, is scheduled to be released from federal custody on Jan. 21, 2026, according to records from the US Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Key Takeaways:
- Former Alameda co-CEO Caroline Ellison is set for release on Jan. 21, 2026, about 10 months earlier than her full sentence.
- Ellison pleaded guilty over the FTX collapse and cooperated with prosecutors, helping secure Sam Bankman-Fried’s conviction.
- Her early release reflects cooperation and good conduct, though she faces a 10-year ban and ongoing supervision.
Ellison, 31, has been in community confinement since October 2025 after being transferred from a federal prison in Connecticut, Business Insider reported earlier this month.
Her release date places her exit from custody roughly 10 months earlier than the full two-year sentence imposed by the court.
Ellison Pleaded Guilty in FTX Collapse That Wiped Out Billions
Ellison pleaded guilty in December 2022 to fraud and conspiracy charges connected to the collapse of FTX, the crypto exchange founded by Sam Bankman-Fried.
The failure of FTX triggered billions of dollars in customer losses and marked one of the most significant scandals in the history of the digital asset industry.
As part of her plea agreement, Ellison cooperated extensively with federal prosecutors and served as a key witness during Bankman-Fried’s criminal trial.
Her testimony detailed how Alameda and FTX commingled customer funds and concealed financial shortfalls, evidence that contributed to Bankman-Fried’s conviction on multiple counts of fraud. He was later sentenced to 25 years in prison.
US District Judge Lewis Kaplan sentenced Ellison in September 2024, ordering her to forfeit $11 billion and serve a two-year prison term beginning in November of that year.
The earlier-than-expected release appears to reflect good-conduct credits and her cooperation with investigators.
In a filing submitted ahead of sentencing, John J. Ray III, the CEO overseeing the FTX bankruptcy estate, said Ellison provided “valuable assistance” that helped recover hundreds of millions of dollars in assets for creditors.
Those efforts played a role in ongoing attempts to return funds to customers affected by the collapse.
Earlier this month, Ellison also agreed to a 10-year ban on serving as an officer or director of public companies or cryptocurrency exchanges.
Following her release, she will remain under supervised release, limiting her future involvement in regulated financial businesses.
Bankman-Fried Seeks Trump Clemency, Claims FTX Case Was Politically Motivated
Meanwhile, Bankman-Fried continues to pursue post-conviction relief. He is seeking clemency from US President Donald Trump, who has previously issued high-profile crypto-related pardons, including for former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao.
Bankman-Fried has argued that his prosecution was politically motivated, a claim prosecutors have rejected.
According to Bureau of Prisons records, Bankman-Fried is currently scheduled for release in September 2044, underscoring the stark contrast in outcomes between the two former executives.
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