Trump’s Controversial Pardon of Binance Founder CZ Sparks Confusion and Debate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by claiming unfamiliarity with Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), despite having pardoned him just days earlier. The pardon, issued in late October 2025, came after Zhao's 2023 guilty plea for willful violations of U.S. anti-money laundering laws, which resulted in a record-breaking $4.3 billion settlement and his resignation as Binance CEO. During a November 2 interview on CBS's 60 Minutes, Trump denied knowing CZ when questioned about the rationale behind the pardon, raising eyebrows across political and crypto circles alike. This development adds another layer of complexity to Zhao's legal saga and Trump's relationship with the cryptocurrency industry. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between regulatory oversight and the fast-moving digital asset sector, while leaving many to speculate about the true motivations behind this high-profile pardon.
Trump Denies Knowing Binance Founder CZ Despite Recent Pardon
Former U.S. President Donald TRUMP sparked controversy during a November 2, 2025 interview on CBS's 60 Minutes by claiming unfamiliarity with Changpeng Zhao, the Binance founder he pardoned days earlier. The pardon followed Zhao's 2023 guilty plea for willful violations of U.S. anti-money laundering laws, which resulted in a $4.3 billion settlement and his resignation as Binance CEO.
When pressed about the pardon's connection to a $2 billion transaction involving Trump family crypto venture World Liberty Financial, Trump dismissed the inquiry. "I don't know who he is," the former president stated, despite Binance's platform having facilitated significant transactions for the Trump-affiliated project.
Elizabeth Warren Defends Remarks on Binance Founder CZ's Guilty Plea
US Senator Elizabeth Warren stands firm on her criticism of Binance founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, following his guilty plea to violating anti-money laundering laws. Warren's remarks, which labeled Zhao's pardon by former President Trump as "corruption," have drawn sharp rebukes from Zhao's legal team. They demanded a retraction, calling her statements defamatory. Warren's attorney countered, asserting the accuracy of her claims based on public records.
The crypto community remains divided. Some, like Max Schatzow, argue that Zhao's failure to maintain an anti-money laundering program constitutes a criminal offense, dismissing technical defenses as irrelevant. The debate underscores the ongoing tension between regulatory scrutiny and the crypto industry's push for legitimacy.
Aster Jumps 30% After CZ Reveals $2M Personal Purchase
The native token of decentralized perpetuals exchange Aster (ASTER) surged more than 30% following Binance CEO Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao's disclosure of a personal $2 million investment. The token traded at $0.91 prior to Zhao's announcement.
Market sentiment shifted abruptly as traders reacted to the high-profile endorsement. Such moves underscore the influence of major industry figures on altcoin liquidity and price action.
CZ's $2.5 Million Aster Token Purchase Triggers 30% Price Surge
Binance co-founder Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao disclosed a personal investment of $2.5 million in Aster tokens, sending the decentralized exchange token soaring 30% within hours. The purchase of over 2 million tokens was executed on Binance using Zhao's private funds, as confirmed by a wallet screenshot shared on social media platform X.
Trading volume exploded from $224 million to $2 billion in 24 hours following the announcement, showcasing the market-moving power of high-profile crypto figures. Two whale traders countered the bullish sentiment with combined short positions exceeding $71 million, betting against the sustainability of the price spike.
Aster, a product of multiple DEX mergers in late 2024, maintains ties to Zhao through his family office YZi Labs' early investment. The token stabilized at $1.22 after peaking at $1.26, demonstrating characteristic volatility in altcoin markets following influencer activity.
