I just read the interview on Vox and he sounded very cynical. I didn't and still don't know SBF very well, so don't know if this is a usual tone for him or not, but the conversation leading into the quoted bit was him saying that people take good/bad perspectives unfairly. Given the situation that happened with CZ (rival, possible back stabber) it sounded like a bitter moment to me rather than a genuine comment on his stance about ethics. The commentary about him in the crypto world is so negative and demonising that I can see why he might be cynical about it, esp for those who supposedly shared his vision but turned their back on him as soon as there was rumour of an issue. Not defending him, but just saying he may be fixated on the recent turn of events, and may be feeling defensive rather than compassionate about the losses during the interview. His portion of the DMs were not very coherent anyway. 

All this to say: I don't know how much this reflects his views. The quote itself read like the 2nd option to me (a lie to win reputation (edit: not necessarily money)), but it also just sounds like commentary about his rival's tactics on him that set the catalyst for his bankruptcy, that he's hung up on.