As more exchanges look for ways to leverage the growing mainstream popularity of cryptocurrency, FTX, one of the largest digital asset trading platforms, is looking for ways to clean up the environment and improve the world. And it’s relying on Gisele Bundchen to help make it happen.
FTX co-founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried joined Bundchen—FTX's head of environmental and social initiatives—at the 2022 Crypto Bahamas conference to announce the launch of the exchange's first print ad campaign, "In On," as well as $1 billion in charitable spending.
The ads will feature both the founder and the iconic supermodel and philanthropist while highlighting FTX’s commitment to effective altruism and global impact. In the ads—slated to appear in several magazines, including Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker—the pair share why they became involved with cryptocurrency and how using FTX can help change the world.
Putting its money where its mouth is, FTX, in partnership with Bundchen, has also committed to donating up to $1 billion to charitable causes this year through the FTX Foundation's Climate and Community funds. Its latest endeavor, the Future Fund, which invests in “ambitious projects to improve humanity’s long-term prospects,” launched earlier this year.
"There are so many things that we can do, and it can sometimes be overwhelming," Bundchen said during the panel discussion. "Still, I think: What can I do to be of service in whatever way I can?"
Bankman-Fried's biggest priority is pandemic prevention. The founder said he believes that with early detection and a global reach for vaccines, the outcome of the next pandemic may not be as severe as the COVID-19 outbreak was.
In an interview with Bloomberg earlier this month, Bankman-Fried said he plans to give away his $24 billion, according to Forbes, leaving 1% of his net worth to live on. He's also a major political donor, having given $5.2 million to Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, according to opensecret.org.
Bundchen is no stranger to social and environmental causes herself, having served as a goodwill ambassador to the United Nations Environment Program since 2009.
"I try my best to bring attention to those things related to if we don't have clean soil, clean water, we need all of that to survive, no matter where you are, or where you're from," she said.
In June 2021, Bundchen and husband Tom Brady began their relationship with FTX after becoming environmental and social initiatives advisers; the following month saw the power couple investing in the FTX platform and taking an equity stake. The announcement at the Crypto Bahamas conference marked her first public appearance as FTX's head of environmental and social initiatives.