Apple buys rights to book on SBF for $5m

Apple reportedly acquired the rights to a book by author Michael Lewis based on FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s bio.

Tech giant and iPhone maker Apple scooped up the rights to an upcoming book centered around Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the founder of bankrupt crypto exchange FTX, currently facing criminal charges.

Apple paid $5 million for rights to the book titled Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon written by best-selling author Michael Lewis, according to media outlet The Ankler.

Lewis is popular for written works like The Big Short and The Blind Side, which boast Hollywood film adaptations.

The report said that Lewis witnessed the rise and downfall of SBF in real time after embedding himself with the former crypto billionaire for 12 months.

In addition to Lewis’ book, there are reportedly eight projects in Hollywood based on SBF, including a profile documentary by Nanette Burstein. Burstein previously directed a 2020 film on former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Her production on Bankman-Fried will feature so-called “exclusive inside access”. 

Amazon also approved a limited series about the FTX crash in November 2022. However, these Hollywood products will likely suffer delays due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.

Sam Bankman-Fried was once a leading crypto figure, rubbing shoulders with Washington’s elites and handling the reins of a major cryptocurrency exchange. 

SBF stepped down as FTX’s chief executive officer after an $8 billion implosion at his company and was later charged with fraud and other crimes by US prosecutors. The bankrupt company, under new CEO John Ray III, also sued SBF and former executives for $1 billion.

While Bankman-Fried denied the allegations against him, four former executives from his crypto empire, including ex-Alameda Research boss Caroline Ellison, have entered guilty pleas.

His trial on fraud, money laundering, and other charges will begin on Oct. 3, the same day author Lewis plans to release the Going Infinite book.