Netflix releases first trailer for The Altruists, its Sam Bankman-Fried series

Overview

The Altruists is an eight-episode limited series that follows the story of Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, and his former partner Caroline Ellison. The series is set against the backdrop of the November 2022 collapse of FTX, which was triggered by massive shortfalls in customer funds.

Cast and Crew

The series features a star-studded cast, including Anthony Boyle as Bankman-Fried, Julia Garner as Ellison, and a supporting cast that includes Alex Lawther, Karan Soni, Eugene Young, and Matt Rife. The show is executive produced by Higher Ground Productions, the company run by Barack and Michelle Obama.

Themes and Impact

The series explores the themes of custody of customer funds, transparency, and oversight, which are critical to the crypto industry. The show is a cautionary tale about two brilliant but flawed individuals who set out to remake the financial system. The real story behind the series is one of two people who were accused of stealing $8 billion, while government allegations cited in coverage of the series run upwards of $10 billion.

Release and Reception

The first trailer for The Altruists has been released, and the series will premiere on Netflix on November 19, 2026. The show is a mixed blessing for the crypto industry, which will likely reach audiences who never opened a crypto app. However, the dramatization will also put a wider cast of FTX insiders in front of viewers, many of whom will be meeting these characters for the first time.