In a heartfelt letter dated May 6, Sam Trabucco, the former co-CEO of the prominent crypto trading firm Alameda Research, penned a detailed three-page testimonial in support of Ryan Salame, the former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets. Trabucco's statement is among the longest and most poignant of the 28 character references submitted for Salame, highlighting both his friend's misconduct and his redeeming qualities.

Trabucco candidly acknowledged Salame's involvement in illegal activities, but he fervently argued for a punishment that fits the nuances of Salame's character. "Simply put, Ryan is my best friend," Trabucco wrote. "He has also committed crimes. He’s acknowledged that and is prepared to accept the consequences. I want those consequences to be fair — not too light, not too excessive, but fair."

Salame has pled guilty to conspiracy charges, including making an unlawful political contribution and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. His trial is set for May 28, where he has requested a prison sentence not exceeding 18 months, as reported by The Block.

Trabucco, who led Alameda Research with Caroline Ellison for about a year before resigning in August 2022, reflected on his unique friendship with Salame. He described an unexpected bond between two individuals who appeared vastly different on the surface. "On paper, it makes very little sense that Ryan and I are so close — so committing it to words is a little odd. He loves to be social; I love to play board games. He’s effortlessly popular; I’m a nerd who’s hard to connect with. But unlike many who look and sound like him, Ryan sees easily past the superficial," Trabucco wrote.

He elaborated on their deep connection, stating, "Without that openness, we never would have learned how hilarious we find each other — outsiders describe our conversations as more like improv than anything — and we’d also have missed out on what I consider a very unique friendship, which I treasure immensely."

Salame was highly regarded at Alameda, not only for his extensive knowledge of cryptocurrency but also for his approachable demeanor. Trabucco recalled the challenging times they faced together at the FTX Hong Kong office, where Salame's efforts to include him in activities provided much-needed relief. "Without him, I’m honestly not sure how I would have made it through those years — he single-handedly made the hardest period of my life bearable by being a great friend to someone who he could tell needed one, and I’ll never forget that," Trabucco shared.

In conclusion, Trabucco passionately urged that Salame's sentence reflect both his criminal actions and his positive attributes. "Ryan deserves to face the consequences of his actions — he intimately understands that. All I want is for those consequences to be fair — for him, but also for the world, which will be so much worse off not having him fully in it," he emphasized.

Trabucco’s letter underscores the complexity of justice, advocating for a balanced approach that considers the entirety of Salame’s character and the impact of his actions.