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Trump Reportedly Considering Pardon for Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao

By Mini maNewcomer0 rep· 10/13/2025
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Former President Donald Trump is reportedly "leaning toward" a pardon for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ. Zhao, who pleaded guilty to money laundering charges and served four months in prison, may see his legal troubles potentially resolved by a presidential pardon. Sources close to Zhao suggest that Trump insiders view the case against him as weak.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Donald Trump is reportedly considering a pardon for Binance founder CZ.

  • Sources close to Zhao believe the case against him was "pretty weak."

  • A pardon could allow CZ to return to a more active role in the crypto industry.

  • Concerns about the "optics" of a pardon due to Trump's crypto ties exist within the White House.

 

Potential Pardon Discussions

Reports indicate that discussions within the White House regarding a potential pardon for Changpeng Zhao are intensifying. According to Charles Gasparino, a senior business correspondent at FOX Business, individuals close to Zhao have shared that many Trump insiders believe the case against CZ was not strong enough to warrant a felony conviction and jail time. This sentiment suggests a potential shift in approach towards cryptocurrency-related legal matters under a future Trump administration.

 

CZ's Legal Situation

Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge in November 2023 as part of a settlement where Binance agreed to pay a $4.3 billion fine, and Zhao himself was fined $50 million. As part of the plea deal, he stepped down as CEO of Binance, served a four-month prison sentence, and was prohibited from working at the company. Zhao has stated that he officially applied for a pardon after seeing media reports suggesting he had already sought one, clarifying that he pleaded guilty to a single violation of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) without any fraud charges.

 

Trump's Stance on Crypto

The Trump administration has historically shown a more favorable stance towards the cryptocurrency industry. During his presidency, there were instances of regulators easing enforcement actions and advancing legislation aimed at regulating the sector. Furthermore, the administration previously pardoned other figures in the crypto space, including three BitMEX founders and Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht. This history suggests a potential pattern of leniency towards individuals facing charges within the digital asset industry.

 

Potential Hurdles and Optics

Despite the reported leaning towards a pardon, there are potential obstacles. Some within the White House have expressed concerns about the "optics" of pardoning Zhao, particularly given President Trump's own business interests in the crypto sector through ventures like his memecoin and decentralized finance protocol, World Liberty Financial. These ties have previously raised conflict-of-interest questions. The situation is described as fluid, with a final decision pending.

 

Industry Perspective

Some in the crypto industry, including executives with White House ties, reportedly view CZ's charges as an overreaction by lawmakers following the collapse of FTX. They argue that CZ was not accused of fraud like FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, and that his jail sentence may have been an attempt by regulators to make an example of a prominent figure in the crypto space after the FTX debacle.

 

 Sources

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Trump Reportedly Considering Pardon for Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao | BlockzHub