Former Alameda CEO Joins Manifund Charity
Caroline Ellison, who previously served as CEO of Alameda Research and was a key figure implicated in the collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, has found a new role with the nonprofit organization Manifund. The announcement was made by Austin Chen, Manifund's co-founder, on Friday.
Ellison's new employment with the 501(c)(3) charity Manifund has drawn considerable attention, particularly within the cryptocurrency community which is navigating the aftermath of significant market disruptions. Her previous company, Alameda Research, was closely intertwined with FTX, whose dramatic downfall sent shockwaves across the digital asset landscape.
Manifund cofounder Austin Chen said Friday that he secretly gave FTX fraud figure Caroline Ellison a job.
Crypto Market Context and Redemption
The cryptocurrency market has been under intense scrutiny following a series of high-profile collapses, including FTX. This period has led to discussions about accountability and the potential for redemption for individuals involved in such events. Ellison's hiring by Manifund, a charity, presents a unique test for the crypto sector's evolving post-FTX culture regarding second chances.
For mainstream readers, Alameda Research operated as a quantitative cryptocurrency trading firm, and its close ties and financial dependencies with the FTX exchange were central to the latter's insolvency. The broader crypto market, as reported by outlets like Coingabbar.com on September 12, has seen fluctuations, with Bitcoin holding near $77,000 and Ethereum gaining 2.6% around that time, indicating a market attempting to stabilize amidst ongoing developments.
The Role and Implications
While the specifics of Ellison's role at Manifund were not detailed across all reports, her mere involvement has sparked significant discussion. BusinessInsider.com notably highlighted that the charity founder had “secretly” given Ellison a job. This detail adds a layer of intrigue to a story already steeped in public interest due to Ellison's prominence in the FTX saga.
The engagement of a central figure from a major crypto scandal in a charitable endeavor is seen by some as an attempt to foster a culture of reintegration and rehabilitation within the crypto space. For others, it raises questions about accountability and the speed at which individuals linked to significant financial malfeasance can re-enter professional life. Manifund's decision to hire Ellison, as reported by multiple outlets including The Block and Cryptopolitan, undeniably places it at the center of this broader conversation about post-scandal redemption in the crypto world.
Market Snapshot
| Asset | Price | 24h | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bitcoin BTC | $77,310 | -0.02% | $1552.6B |
 Ethereum ETH | $2,522 | +2.14% | $307.8B |
 BNB BNB | $733.43 | +2.52% | $97.7B |
 XRP XRP | $1.37 | +0.64% | $85.9B |
 Solana SOL | $101.79 | +1.84% | $59.7B |
 Dogecoin DOGE | $0.0846 | +0.62% | $13.2B |
 Cardano ADA | $0.209 | -0.34% | $7.8B |
Live data: CoinGecko — 2026-09-12 07:22 UTC
