Trump Pardons Changpeng Zhao: A Look at the Key Details
In a remarkable turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump has officially granted a pardon to Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance. Commonly known as CZ, Zhao is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency world.
A Rigorous Legal Review Process
The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed the development, stating that the pardon underwent a detailed legal review process. According to Leavitt, experts from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the White House Counsel’s Office were involved in the deliberation.
“Each pardon request receives extensive evaluation to ensure it meets all procedural standards,” said Leavitt during a press briefing. This statement helps clarify the procedural integrity of this decision.
Trump’s Stand on the Prosecution
In a recent interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Trump described the prosecution against Zhao as a ‘Biden-era witch hunt.’ He emphasized that he had no personal ties to Zhao and decided purely based on the legal review conducted by his administration.
Leavitt corroborated Trump’s remarks, reiterating that the pardon was based on legal fairness without any personal or political affiliations.
The Background of Changpeng Zhao
In 2023, Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to implement an effective anti-money laundering program at Binance. He subsequently served a brief sentence, spending four months in federal detention, and was released in September 2024. The pardon, signed by Trump in October 2025, helps close a swirling narrative in the world of cryptocurrency.
Controversies and Financial Connections
The pardon added additional scrutiny to discussions surrounding World Liberty Financial, a Trump-linked firm, which previously denied reports of planning to acquire Binance’s U.S. operations. Similarly, ties with the firm’s stablecoin and Abu Dhabi’s MGX—coupled with their collaboration with Binance—have added more intrigue to the pardon.
What This Means for Binance
While Binance CEO Richard Teng has distanced the company from the legal and political implications of Zhao’s prosecution and pardon, industry analysts are exploring the potential impacts on cryptocurrency markets worldwide.
Crypto enthusiasts, policy makers, and legal professionals alike view this as a significant milestone shaping the future relationship between government institutions and cryptocurrency entities.
Recommended Read
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