Crypto Gloss

Steph Curry

Definition: Steph Curry is a Golden State Warriors shooting guard and four-time NBA champion who became an FTX brand ambassador in 2021, received compensation in FTX equity and/or cash, held a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT, and was subsequently named in class action lawsuits following FTX’s collapse in November 2022.

Crypto Involvement

FTX Brand Ambassador

  • Social media promotions using the @FTX_US handle and FTX branding
  • Appearing in FTX marketing materials
  • Publicly promoting FTX as accessible to everyday investors

Curry’s social media reach and reputation as a clean-image NBA star made him one of FTX’s most valuable celebrity associations.

Bored Ape Yacht Club

FTX Collapse (November 2022)

Class action lawsuit: Named Curry, Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, Kevin O’Leary, Shaquille O’Neal, and other FTX promoters as defendants. The suit alleged that the celebrities:

  • Were paid to promote FTX as a safe platform
  • Failed to disclose the compensation they received
  • Were at minimum negligent in not investigating FTX’s legitimacy

Curry’s FTX equity reportedly declined to effectively zero value.

Timeline

  • 2021 — Signed FTX brand ambassador deal; received equity and promotional compensation.
  • 2021 — Purchased BAYC NFT.
  • Nov 2022 — FTX declares bankruptcy.
  • Nov 2022 — Named in class action lawsuit alongside other FTX celebrities.
  • 2023–2024 — Lawsuit ongoing; Curry’s legal team contested claims.
  • 2024–2025 — FTX bankruptcy proceedings continued; some celebrity settlements reached.

Controversies

  • FTX promotion — Curry promoted FTX to retail sports fans who had limited crypto knowledge, directing new users to a platform that was conducting what federal prosecutors called the largest fraud in US history.
  • Equity conflict — Holding FTX equity while promoting FTX created an undisclosed conflict of interest that sits at the center of the lawsuit’s allegations.
  • BAYC losses — Like most NFT retail holders, Curry’s Bored Ape declined significantly in value from peak prices.

Social Media Sentiment

Curry is generally given a degree of sympathy compared to the FTX insiders — he was a paid spokesperson, not an operator. Critics still argue that his $100M+ net worth gave him resources to do due diligence he apparently did not. Sports audiences view the FTX case as a watershed moment for athlete-brand endorsement accountability.

Related Terms

Last updated: 2026-04