If time could turn back, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) might wish he had never touched FTX user funds. Once hailed as a crypto prodigy, SBF’s legendary investment acumen is now referenced by the market with a heavy dose of irony. As the AI boom accelerates and parts of the blockchain ecosystem rebound, a series of early investments SBF made before his arrest would now be worth over $80 billion—if only they were still in his hands.
This unrealized fortune spans not only unicorns in the artificial intelligence sector but also includes one of his most successful crypto bets—Solana (SOL). Ironically, it was his misuse of FTX customer funds that brought down this vast digital empire and directly triggered the collapse of FTX’s native token, FTT. As of February 14, 2026, looking back from our current vantage point, every corner of this "unrealized wealth" is marked by dramatic swings.
Missing the AI Gold Rush: A $7 Billion Bet on Anthropic
Among all the missed fortunes, none has drawn more market attention than the investment in AI company Anthropic. SBF and his affiliated entities once poured $500 million into Anthropic. As generative AI swept the globe, Anthropic’s valuation recently soared to new heights.
According to the latest industry data, Anthropic’s valuation has skyrocketed to $38 billion in its most recent funding round. This means SBF’s original $500 million investment would now be worth about $7 billion. That amount could have covered most of FTX creditors’ losses and still left a massive surplus. However, this equity has since been transferred or sold off during bankruptcy proceedings to fill the financial void. SBF personally backed a company that could have placed him among the world’s wealthiest, only to destroy it all through fraudulent actions.
SOL’s Comeback and FTT’s Downfall
If Anthropic represents the future of technology, then Solana (SOL) showcases SBF’s deep understanding of crypto infrastructure. When the SOL price hovered around $8, SBF accumulated a $60 million SOL position through various channels. Had he held onto it, this stake would have peaked at over $2.1 billion.
SOL’s Latest Market Performance
Despite cycling through bull and bear markets, Solana remains one of the highest-throughput Layer 1 blockchains today. According to Gate market data, as of February 14, 2026, Solana (SOL) is priced at $84.86, with a 24-hour trading volume of $45.28M, a market cap of $48.07B, and a market share of 2.12%. Over the past 24 hours, as market sentiment warmed, SOL’s price rose by 7.64%.
From a technical perspective, SOL is currently testing support at $77.86. If it can hold this level, it may challenge the 24-hour high of $85.62. For long-term investors, SBF’s original $8 entry price is an undeniable "diamond bottom," but this fortune has long since vanished under judicial seizure.
FTT: The Tragic Aftermath
In contrast, SBF’s own creation, FTX Token (FTT), became a casualty of this saga. With FTX’s collapse, FTT’s value plummeted. As of February 14, 2026, FTT trades at $0.3512, with a 24-hour volume of $21.69K and a market cap of just $115.17M. Despite a 24-hour price change of +3.29%, it has fallen more than 99% from its all-time high of $84.18. For FTT holders, this is no longer a story of wealth, but a barometer for the bankruptcy liquidation process.
Hidden Gems: The Ups and Downs of Sui and Robinhood
Beyond these headline investments, SBF’s portfolio also extended to Sui and Robinhood.
- Mysten Labs (Sui): SBF invested $100 million in Sui’s development team, Mysten Labs. With Sui’s mainnet launch and ecosystem growth, this investment once exceeded $800 million in value. Although recent market corrections have pressured altcoins, this remains an extremely successful investment compared to the initial outlay.
- Robinhood Stock: Through acquisitions and personal holdings, SBF once owned about 7.5% of trading platform Robinhood. As Robinhood expanded its crypto trading business, this stake is now worth approximately $1 billion.
The Other Side of Wealth: Compliance and Risk Management
For SBF, this $80 billion in "unrealized wealth" now serves as a belated autopsy report from behind prison walls. His story sends a clear message to the crypto industry: Even with world-class investment instincts, everything can go to zero without a foundation of compliance and rigorous risk management.
At Gate, we firmly believe that the prosperity of the crypto industry requires not only technical innovators but also steadfast rule-followers. SBF’s bet on SOL proved the long-term value of quality assets, while his misuse of funds and FTX’s collapse underscore the critical importance of transparency and compliance.
For everyday investors, rather than envying SBF’s unrealized paper wealth, it’s wiser to focus on the present. Gate’s data projects that if SOL can break through its current resistance range, it could fluctuate between $67.88 and $96.72 in 2026. In the long run, as ecosystem applications mature, prices may reach $149.14 by 2031, offering considerable potential returns. As for FTT, its future hinges largely on the pace of bankruptcy proceedings, making it far more speculative than investable.
