In a startling turn of events, former employees of the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX have reported difficulties in securing new job opportunities and have faced battles with depression since the exchange's shocking collapse. The downfall of FTX, led by Sam Bankman-Fried, has had a significant impact on the lives of Natalie Tien and Can Sun, who both played key roles in the company's operations.

Natalie Tien, who served as the head of public relations for FTX and also worked as Bankman-Fried's executive assistant, revealed that she had approximately $500,000 invested personally in FTX and various cryptocurrencies, all of which vanished when the exchange collapsed in November 2022. Tien disclosed to the Wall Street Journal that she grappled with depression in the months following the revelation that Bankman-Fried had used FTX user funds to cover an immense debt at a failing hedge fund, Alameda Research. She even experienced episodes of uncontrollable crying in public, including a tearful incident in a New York City grocery store.

Seeking closure and a sense of justice, Tien attended Bankman-Fried's trial last fall, only to be left disheartened when her former boss was sentenced to 25 years in prison. During the sentencing, Judge Lewis Kaplan criticized Bankman-Fried for portraying himself as a proponent of responsible regulation in the cryptocurrency industry, labeling his friendly demeanor as nothing more than an act. Furthermore, the judge ordered the fallen mogul to repay over $11 billion to FTX's users, investors, and lenders. Bankman-Fried's parents appealed for a lighter sentence, citing his potential placement on the autism spectrum.

Similarly, Can Sun, the former general counsel of FTX, has struggled to come to terms with the shocking downfall of a company that, at its peak, boasted a value of $40 billion. Sun recounted his shock when other FTX executives informed him on November 7, 2022, that billions of dollars were missing and emergency funds needed to be raised. Subsequently, Sun accompanied Bankman-Fried on a walk around his Bahamas apartment, during which the FTX chief insinuated that there might be legal justifications for the misappropriation of customer funds. The next day, Sun resigned from his position.

Sun's search for employment has been marred by the tarnished reputation of FTX. According to reports, one major cryptocurrency firm refused to meet with him due to his association with the collapsed exchange. However, Sun eventually secured a position as the head of legal affairs and compliance for Backpack, a startup crypto exchange led by a former Alameda employee.

Expressing his frustration, Sun told the Journal that Bankman-Fried had never admitted to knowingly misappropriating customer funds, leaving him angered and disillusioned. He later testified against his former boss, stating that he didn't believe he had done anything wrong but decided to cooperate as a precautionary measure, considering the possibility that he unknowingly approved deals involving misappropriated funds.

Throughout his trial, Bankman-Fried maintained that FTX's collapse was a result of poor risk management rather than a criminal act. Testimony from Caroline Ellison, Bankman-Fried's ex-girlfriend and business partner, revealed that he favored a utilitarian approach, believing that maximizing utility was the only moral rule that mattered. Judge Kaplan referred to this testimony when sentencing Bankman-Fried to disable him for a significant period, highlighting the magnitude of his actions.

While some, like former Alameda COO Andrew Croghan, believe that Bankman-Fried may not fit the traditional mold of a villain, they acknowledge the immense collateral damage and negativity that has ensued from FTX's downfall. The aftermath of the cryptocurrency exchange's collapse has left former employees struggling to rebuild their lives and find new career paths, while grappling with the emotional toll of their experiences.