If you put $1,000 in Bitcoin when FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced, here’s your return now

The collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange in 2022 remains one of the significant moments in the digital assets space, considering its impact on assets such as Bitcoin (BTC).

Notably, several involved parties have been found liable for the collapse, with founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried taking the greatest responsibility. He was found liable for fraud and other charges related to the platform’s downfall.

His sentencing on March 28, 2024, coincided with a period when Bitcoin was taking off, hitting a new record high driven by general market optimism regarding the possibility of institutional capital inflow through spot exchange-traded funds (ETF).

Bitcoin’s $1,000 investment returns

Since then, Bitcoin has surged, hitting an all-time high above the coveted $100,000 mark. For investors, if you had put $1,000 into Bitcoin at the time of Bankman-Fried’s sentencing, your bet would have appreciated.

On March 28, 2024, the asset was valued at $70,744. As of January 28, 2025, Bitcoin has rallied to $102,850, a 45.3% increase in value over this period.

Therefore, an initial investment of $1,000 would have turned into approximately $1,451.26. Your $1,000 stake would have grown by 45.3% in just ten months, with about $450 in profits.

It’s worth noting that Bitcoin’s growth over this period emerged despite the FTX collapse, which initially dampened investment sentiment and led the cryptocurrency sector into one of the most notable bear markets.

Several factors have contributed to this spike, with the approval of the spot ETF emerging as the turning point for digital assets.

However, the recent Bitcoin price rally has been triggered by the election of Donald Trump, whose first week in office hinted at enacting favorable crypto policies. During the campaign, Trump made pro-crypto promises, such as making Bitcoin part of the strategic reserve.

At the same time, the U.S. anticipates having a crypto-friendly regulator under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) following Gary Gensler’s exit.

With Bitcoin holding above the $100,000 mark after temporarily plunging below this level, this figure serves as a key resistance point for the short term and could act as a springboard to new highs.

What next for Bitcoin price

Currently, the leading digital current is showing short-term recovery attempts ahead of the first U.S. FOMC meeting for 2025, where the institution will offer hints on its next interest rate decision and how it impacts the markets.

From a technical perspective, cryptocurrency trading expert Captain Faibik’s analysis in an X post on January 28 pointed out that Bitcoin is aiming for a possible rally toward the $120,000 mark.

The projection is based on Bitcoin’s daily chart, which exhibits a rising wedge channel characterized by higher highs and higher lows within two converging trendlines.

This formation typically signals continued upward movement, indicating that Bitcoin could climb further before encountering strong resistance.

If BTC breaks above the wedge’s upper resistance, it could trigger an accelerated rally, pushing prices toward the $120,000 all-time high. However, a failure to maintain momentum could lead to a temporary pullback to the $95,000 zone.

Featured image via Shutterstock

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