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Ryan Salame, once flying high as FTX’s co-CEO, has found a new kind of fame—but not the one most would chase. He took to LinkedIn this week, just days before starting his seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence, to announce his latest “career move.” The post read, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as [an] inmate at FCI Cumberland.”

The dark humor wasn’t missed. LinkedIn users poured in with sarcastic kudos, including a sharp quip, “Bro went from LinkedIn to LockedIn.” Another user chimed in with a simple but cutting, “Well deserved, Ryan.”

Salame, once seated at the top of the crypto empire, now faces the fallout from FTX’s legendary collapse, which left the industry stunned in November 2022. The exchange, valued at $32 billion at its peak, crumbled under accusations of fraud and misuse of customer assets.

Salame’s Legal Trouble and Slight Win Amid the FTX Collapse

Salame’s fall came quick and hard, with charges tied to illegal political donations. Prosecutors claimed he funneled tens of millions into U.S. campaigns, cutting checks for both Republicans and Democrats, while also running an unlicensed money-transmitting biz. But despite the messy situation, Salame managed to squeeze out a minor victory: his prized 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S remains in his garage. Its value? Not quite high enough to land in the government’s hands, though he’s still on the hook for a $1,500 maintenance bill.

This small win comes in stark contrast to the eye-watering $1.5 billion in assets Salame was forced to forfeit due to his role in the FTX scandal. The whole episode still feels unreal for those who watched FTX’s rapid rise.

“Duped” or Guilty? The Debate Continues

While Salame claims he was fooled by Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) into believing FTX was solid, prosecutors tell a different story. They pointed to his shady withdrawal of over $5 million in crypto, just as the exchange was circling the drain. That move drew questions about his deeper involvement in the firm’s implosion.

Salame’s story now joins those of other ex-FTX leaders facing prison time. Caroline Ellison, former Alameda Research head, took a lighter two-year sentence after flipping on SBF, whose 25-year sentence now sets a grim benchmark for financial crimes. But Salame, unlike Ellison or Gary Wang, chose silence over testifying against Bankman-Fried, a decision that likely left him with a heavier sentence.

Despite the harsh reality ahead, Salame found time to joke, posting on X, formerly Twitter, “Today I learned people still use LinkedIn.”