FTX’s Nishad Singh Avoids Jail Time: Inside the Courtroom

Sam Bankman-Fried got 25 years, Caroline Ellison got two, but FTX's former Head of Engineering Nishad Singh avoided prison time altogether at his sentencing in New York as he was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release on Wednesday.

Inside the New York courtroom, Singh’s demeanor was notably calm as he addressed the court. His family, occupying nearly half the seats, offered visible support throughout the proceedings — a stark contrast to previous FTX-related sentencings.

Judge Lewis Kaplan, in a break from his surprise two-year sentence for Ellison, listened to prosecutors this time who credited Singh's helpful cooperation and evidence he willfully provided.

“You did the right thing," a surprisingly warm Judge Kaplan told Singh, before also personally addressing Singh's parents in the front row. "I don't see anything you did wrong."

Singh appeared markedly transformed, having lost a significant amount of weight, the tension lifted as Judge Lewis Kaplan outlined why Singh’s case warranted a different approach than that of his colleagues.

Andrew Goldstein, Singh’s defense attorney, did well to establish that narrative in his opening remarks by setting Singh apart from Ellison and Bankman-Fried. He highlighted the strong support shown in letters from over 100 people, including 18 former FTX or Alameda employees, Bankman-Fried’s brother Gabe, and even John Ray, FTX's CEO post-bankruptcy. Goldstein underscored Singh's immediate cooperation with authorities — long before any plea bargains or potential leads emerged, setting him apart in the eyes of the prosecution.

“I am overwhelmed with remorse for the harm I’ve participated in and caused so many innocent people,” Singh told Judge Kaplan before he was sentenced. “The two months before and the two months after the FTX collapse were the hardest of my life.”

In a surprising move, Judge Kaplan acknowledged Singh's cooperation, noting that Singh had acted as a “very important cooperator” whose proactive disclosures helped build the government’s case.

Notably, Singh provided critical information regarding FTX’s campaign finance charges and more, with prosecutors affirming that it would have taken much longer to bring these charges to court without Singh’s help. Prosecutor Nicolas Roos emphasized Singh’s “extreme remorse” and genuine dedication to transparency, recounting his numerous meetings with regulatory agencies and his forfeiture of assets.

Singh’s family support was a theme Judge Kaplan acknowledged directly, addressing Singh’s parents and fiancee in the courtroom. Observers noted that this compassionate gesture contrasted sharply with Judge Kaplan’s approach in Ellison’s sentencing, where he emphasized a need for jail time as a deterrent.

While co-founder Gary Wang’s sentencing awaits, Singh’s story stands as a rare case where complete cooperation and personal contrition helped avoid prison time altogether.