Binance Co-Founder CZ Denies Trump Connections Following Controversial Pardon
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the former CEO and co-founder of Binance, has publicly denied having any personal or business ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump, despite receiving a presidential pardon from him in October. The unexpected clemency has sparked scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers, who question the motives behind the pardon. CZ revealed that his only interaction with the Trump family was a brief encounter with Eric Trump at a cryptocurrency event. This development has raised eyebrows in both political and crypto circles, as Binance remains a dominant force in the global cryptocurrency exchange market. The controversy highlights the increasing intersection of digital asset leadership and political influence.
Former Binance CEO CZ Denies Ties to Trump Amid Pardon Controversy
Changpeng Zhao, co-founder of Binance, expressed surprise at receiving a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, emphasizing he has no personal or business connections to the former U.S. president. The unexpected clemency, granted in October, has drawn scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers who allege potential impropriety.
Zhao clarified his sole interaction with the Trump family was a brief meeting with Eric Trump at a cryptocurrency conference in Abu Dhabi. He categorically denied any financial links between Binance and World Liberty Finance, a platform associated with Trump allies.
The pardon process remained opaque even to Zhao, who stated his legal team submitted the petition in April without receiving updates on its progress. The MOVE has become a flashpoint in ongoing debates about cryptocurrency's political influence.
Binance Founder CZ Denies Trump Links After Surprise Pardon
Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao, co-founder of Binance, has publicly rejected claims of business ties to former U.S. President Donald TRUMP following his controversial pardon in October 2025. The cryptocurrency executive served four months for AML violations before his record was expunged by presidential action.
Market observers had speculated about backchannel deals involving Trump's World Liberty Financial project, but Zhao maintains absolute separation. 'There's no deal, there has never been any discussions,' the former Binance CEO told FOX News. His $4.3 billion settlement with regulators remains the largest in crypto history.
The pardon's origins remain opaque, with Trump attributing the decision to his sons' lobbying while denying personal acquaintance with Zhao. This development comes as the crypto industry faces increased scrutiny over political connections and regulatory compliance.
New Blockchain Projects Rival Established Leaders in Growth Potential
Emerging blockchain projects like XRP Tundra are challenging the dominance of established players such as Binance Coin (BNB) and Shiba Inu (SHIB). These newcomers aim to capture market attention by combining proven mechanics with transparency and audited design.
Binance Coin recently surpassed $1,000, its highest level since 2021, driven by record activity on BNB Chain. Increased transaction counts, staking participation, and demand for exchange-linked utilities like fee discounts and launchpad access fueled this growth. Continuous fee demand from spot and futures trading provided the structural FLOW that pushed BNB into four-figure territory.
Shiba Inu took a different path, reinventing itself through technical upgrades. The introduction of Layer-2 scaling via Shibarium, automated burn mechanisms, and support for DeFi and NFT applications transformed SHIB from a meme token to a functional ecosystem currency. Community activity surged alongside these developments, with on-chain burns reducing supply and boosting long-term holder ratios.
