Sam Bankman-Fried said he doesn't think he's criminally liable for FTX's implosion, but that his lawyers don't want him speaking publicly

Sam Bankman- Fried said he doesn't think he's responsible for the collapse of his FTXcryptocurrencies empire that caused billions of dollars in losses. He said he had violated his lawyers' wishes.

Speaking to journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin at the New York Times Dealbook conference on Wednesday, Bankman-Fried said, "I don't personally think that."

I think the answer is not what I'm focusing on. He doesn't think this is the last time he will think about himself and his future.

The millions of customers and stakeholders of FTX lost money when the exchange collapsed.

Bankman- Fried resigned as CEO of FTX after the exchange faced a liquidity crisis and allegations of misuse of customer funds. FTX's bankruptcy sent shock waves through the entire industry because the firm still owes billions of dollars.

Bankman- Fried said his lawyers told him not to talk about the situation.

It is the classic advice. He said to go into a hole.

I have a responsibility to speak to people. He said that he had a duty to try and do what was right.

John Ray, the new CEO of FTX, said that Bankman- Fried is no longer employed by the company.

Bankman-Fried denied that he was avoiding the US due to fear of arrest, saying that he has thought about returning.