Going Infinite

Going Infinite examines the rise and collapse of crypto exchange FTX through its founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Michael Lewis gained unprecedented access to Bankman-Fried and his inner circle, conducting hundreds of interviews before and after FTX's implosion in late 2022. The book traces Bankman-Fried's path from MIT mathematics student to crypto billionaire, exploring his relationships with colleagues, investors, and regulators. Lewis chronicles the rapid expansion of FTX and its affiliated trading firm Alameda Research, while painting a portrait of its unconventional founder. The narrative covers key events in the FTX story through direct observations and conversations, presenting perspectives from multiple players in the drama. Lewis maintains access to Bankman-Fried even as legal troubles mount and the empire crumbles. At its core, Going Infinite raises questions about truth, deception, and the nature of reality in modern finance. The book presents a complex study of ambition and risk in an era where billions can be made and lost in the digital realm.

Readers found the book moved quickly but lacked depth in investigating FTX's collapse. Many noted Lewis seemed too sympathetic to SBF and missed obvious red flags. What readers liked: - Fast-paced narrative style - Behind-the-scenes access to SBF and FTX - Clear explanations of crypto concepts - Insights into SBF's personality and habits What readers disliked: - Too favorable portrayal of SBF - Missing critical financial details - Limited coverage of victims and consequences - Rushed ending - Few new revelations "Lewis got played by SBF" appears frequently in reviews. Multiple readers noted the book feels "incomplete" given ongoing legal proceedings. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (2,300+ ratings) Notable reader quote: "An entertaining but surface-level account that reads more like SBF PR than investigative journalism" (Goodreads top review) "The access to SBF makes this worth reading, but Lewis missed the real story" (Amazon reviewer)

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🔹 Michael Lewis wrote this book in just six months, publishing it mere months after FTX's collapse - one of the fastest turnarounds for a major financial scandal book. 🔹 The author spent over 100 hours interviewing Sam Bankman-Fried, including time at his Bahamas penthouse before the collapse and later while under house arrest. 🔹 Sam Bankman-Fried's parents are both Stanford Law School professors, and he grew up on campus surrounded by academic discourse about ethics and utilitarianism. 🔹 FTX's collapse in November 2022 erased $32 billion in value within days, marking one of the fastest destructions of wealth in modern financial history. 🔹 The book's title "Going Infinite" refers to an arbitrage trading strategy known as "infinite leverage" that Bankman-Fried used early in his career at Jane Street Capital.