The trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried commenced in Manhattan this week, with the 31-year-old facing accusations of orchestrating fraudulent schemes through cryptocurrency exchange FTX and affiliated hedge fund Alameda Research. Bankman-Fried's journey from obscurity to wealth and fame, sharing stages with figures like President Bill Clinton and involving celebrities like Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen in ad campaigns, has been remarkable.

 

Notably, since his arrest in early 2023, Bankman-Fried's diagnosis with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has frequently made headlines. In August, a judge granted his request to receive ADHD medication Adderall while detained in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. Subsequently, in September, his legal team attempted to include questions about ADHD during jury selection, but the Department of Justice argued against it, deeming them irrelevant and potentially prejudicial.

 

Bankman-Fried's defense team has not signaled that they will use ADHD as a defense, yet they have recently raised concerns about his access to medication at the detention center.

 

This situation brings attention to the relationship between ADHD and entrepreneurship, as research suggests a higher prevalence of ADHD among entrepreneurs compared to the general population. In recent years, there has been greater openness about neurodiversity, with prominent individuals like Paris Hilton and Richard Branson disclosing their ADHD diagnoses. Some even view properly harnessed ADHD as a "superpower," and industries have emerged to leverage ADHD as an asset.

 

Entrepreneurs with ADHD, however, have mixed feelings about the attention Bankman-Fried's trial has brought to his diagnosis:

 

Alan Meckler: CEO of 3DR Holdings, Meckler, who has severe dyslexia and ADHD, finds it "preposterous" to use ADHD as an explanation for Bankman-Fried's behavior or as a means to garner sympathy. He believes that having ADHD doesn't excuse wrongdoing.

 

Tracy Otsuka: Otsuka, author and host of a podcast on ADHD, views the spotlight on ADHD as a positive development. She emphasizes that ADHD doesn't equate to laziness or lack of intelligence and suggests that Bankman-Fried's achievements demonstrate that ADHD individuals can excel. She also highlights that behaviors like fidgeting or lack of eye contact might be attempts to manage nervous energy.

 

Jessi Romero: Founder of ADHD Female Entrepreneurs, Romero is concerned about the potential impact of Bankman-Fried's case on other entrepreneurs with ADHD. She believes that there was a stigma around ADHD for a long time and that efforts have been made to demonstrate how it can be positively harnessed for entrepreneurship. She hopes that Bankman-Fried's situation won't tarnish the image of ADHD entrepreneurs and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and harnessing ADHD for success.