Trump Grants Presidential Pardon to CZ
Move signals Trump’s renewed push to make America a crypto capital
Former Binance CEO and founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has been officially pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump, marking one of the most dramatic reversals in crypto history. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump signed the pardon on Wednesday following months of private lobbying by Binance and Zhao’s supporters. Though the White House has yet to publish official records, Binance later confirmed the news in a statement.
“Incredible news of CZ’s pardon today. We thank President Trump for his leadership and for his commitment to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world,” the company said. “CZ’s vision not only made Binance the world’s largest crypto exchange but shaped the broader crypto movement.”
Zhao pleaded guilty in November 2023 to violating the Bank Secrecy Act by failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls at Binance. He resigned as CEO as part of the plea deal and was sentenced to four months in prison in April 2024, before being released in September.
Rumors of a possible pardon had intensified in recent weeks, especially after Zhao quietly removed “ex-@binance” from his social media bio. Betting markets surged with speculation, and reports from Fox News’ Charles Gasparino suggested Trump was “leaning toward” the decision.
The pardon paves the way for Zhao’s potential return to Binance, a move that could reignite the company’s global dominance. Trump’s decision adds Zhao to a growing list of high-profile crypto figures granted clemency, including BitMEX co-founders and Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht — reinforcing the former president’s controversial but clear message: America is back in the crypto game.
