In a courtroom drama that’s already making headlines around the globe, the ongoing trial of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) has taken an even more bizarre twist. Known for its unprecedented nature, given the collapse of the FTX crypto exchange and the billions lost by its investors, the trial has now introduced a new, rather hairy artist to its proceedings.
In a world-first, and perhaps in a bid to capture the essence of the trial’s unique character, the US court has employed a chimpanzee to paint portraits from the courtroom. Yes, you read that right—a chimp with a paintbrush, dabbling in the fine arts right in the middle of one of the most talked-about trials of the decade.
The decision to use a chimp, according to inside sources, was an attempt to maintain the level of intellect of the average FTX investor while ensuring objectivity. After all, chimps are well-known for their indifference to the volatile world of cryptocurrencies. “It’s a well-known fact that chimps prefer bananas over Bitcoin,” one courtroom observer quipped.
However, early images emerging from the courtroom have raised eyebrows and elicited chuckles. The portraits, while undeniably unique, have led some to speculate that the chimp artist might be…intoxicated. Brush strokes that resemble more of a wild dance than a calculated movement, colors splashed with reckless abandon, and what appears to be the occasional banana smear have all added to the intrigue.
“It’s clear that this chimp might have had one too many fermented fruits before his courtroom debut,” said a local art critic, trying to stifle his laughter.
While the world waits for the outcome of the SBF trial, one thing is certain: the chimp’s artwork will be remembered for years to come, serving as a colorful (and slightly blurry) reminder of the time when the worlds of crypto, law, and primate artistry collided.
In the end, whether SBF is found guilty or not, the chimp has already stolen the show, proving once again that in the world of finance and trials, expect the unexpected. And maybe, just maybe, keep the fermented fruits away from the artist.
