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In the gripping SBF trial, Caroline Ellison faces intense scrutiny regarding her decision not to hedge Alameda's investments, a pivotal moment that has come to light. In earlier testimony, the blame for Alameda's decline has been laid squarely on Ellison's shoulders for her refusal to divest the fund's riskier assets. In a surprising twist, Ellison concedes that Sam Bankman-Fried, the FTX founder, had urged hedging in 2021, but she had resisted. It was a stance that would prove costly. Ellison reveals that Alameda suffered a staggering $100 million loss when Terraform's token UST plummeted in value. In retrospect, she candidly admits, "I came to believe that Alameda should have sold it." The courtroom adjourns for a lunch break, with Ellison set to return for further cross-examination this afternoon.

 Challenging Ellison's Integrity

Mark Cohen, representing Sam Bankman-Fried, challenges Ellison's testimony about her knowledge of the impropriety in using FTX customer funds for high-risk investments by Alameda. He inquires if she ever discussed these concerns with anyone. Ellison confesses that she raised the issue with Bankman-Fried but no one else. Cohen presses further, asking, "Did you ever consider resigning from Alameda?" Ellison's response is a revelation, "Yes." Cohen's counter, "But you didn't resign." "I did not," Ellison replies, leaving a sense of intrigue in the air.

Ellison Stand In SBF Trial :  Secrets Unraveled

The cross-examination starts slowly, marred by sidebars and objections. Cohen delves into Ellison's final breakup with Bankman-Fried in April 2022 and how it impacted their working relationship. Ellison's revelation is startling, "I found it difficult to have in-person, one-on-one conversations with him, so I tried to avoid those. But I still continued to have work communications with him over Signal and go to group meetings with him." Cohen inquires whether the pair ceased all non-work communications post-breakup, and Ellison discloses the impossibility due to them still "living in the same apartment." Cohen tries to challenge her testimony with notes of her proffer interview, but Ellison stands her ground, insisting the document doesn't refresh her recollection. Fast-forwarding to November 2022, Cohen raises intrigue by asking about the presence of someone with Ellison when the FBI searched her parents' home. She cryptically mentions a new boyfriend, who had connections to both FTX and Alameda, withholding the name.

Ellison Stand In SBF Trial : High-Stakes Drama Unfolds

As the sun rises over 500 Pearl Street, Caroline Ellison remains under the spotlight in the multi-billion-dollar fraud trial of FTX's enigmatic founder, Sam Bankman-Fried. The 28-year-old former CEO of Alameda Research spent over ten hours in direct examination, unveiling a complex web of accusations and confessions. She detailed her role in channeling customer deposits into the FTX-linked hedge fund, with allegations of risky investments, political donations, and lender repayments.