Binance’s Strategic Pivot: CZ’s Influence and the Road to a US Comeback
In a significant development for the global cryptocurrency landscape, Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao, the founder of Binance, is actively working to re-establish the exchange's foothold in the United States. This strategic push follows a pivotal personal event: CZ received a pardon from former President Donald Trump in October 2025. Although CZ has formally stepped down from his day-to-day leadership role at Binance, his influence on the company's high-level strategy remains profound and decisive. A central component of this renewed US strategy involves the potential recapitalization of Binance.US. This financial maneuver is seen as a critical step to address regulatory concerns and rebuild trust with American authorities and users. Notably, such a recapitalization would likely involve diluting CZ's current majority stake in the exchange. Regulatory experts have previously identified his concentrated ownership as a significant obstacle to obtaining necessary licenses and operating with full compliance in the stringent US market. By reducing his stake, Binance aims to present a more decentralized and regulator-friendly corporate structure. This move signals a mature evolution for the company, prioritizing long-term market access and stability over centralized control. The pardon itself adds a complex political dimension to the narrative, suggesting a potentially shifting regulatory environment for crypto businesses in the US. CZ's advocacy for this comeback highlights his unwavering commitment to Binance's mission, even from a behind-the-scenes position. The success of this endeavor hinges on navigating the intricate web of US financial regulations, particularly from bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). If successful, Binance's full return could dramatically reshape competitive dynamics, offering US traders renewed access to one of the world's largest liquidity pools. However, the path forward is fraught with challenges, including ongoing legal scrutiny and the need to demonstrate sustained compliance. The cryptocurrency community is watching closely, as the outcome will serve as a major bellwether for the industry's integration into the traditional US financial system. This period marks a crucial chapter for Binance, testing its ability to adapt and thrive within defined regulatory frameworks while maintaining its innovative edge.
CZ Advocates for Binance's US Comeback Post-Trump Pardon
Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, is spearheading efforts to reinvigorate Binance's presence in the US market following his pardon by former President Donald TRUMP in October. Despite stepping down from his formal role at the exchange, CZ's influence remains palpable, particularly in strategic decisions such as the potential recapitalization of Binance.US. This move could dilute his majority stake, which is currently seen as a barrier to securing licenses in key states.
At the Binance Blockchain Week, CZ emphasized his commitment to fostering the US as a global crypto hub, calling it "an emerging land for us." His active participation at the event, including front-row attendance during co-founder Yi He's speech, belies his claimed retirement status. The path forward involves navigating complex state-level regulations or awaiting federal legislation to streamline operations.
Binance's 2023 plea deal, which included billions in fines and restrictions on CZ's involvement, complicates the US re-entry. The extent to which Trump's pardon alleviates these constraints remains unclear, leaving the crypto community watching closely for developments.
Binance Wallet Launches DeFi Loans in Partnership with Venus Protocol
Binance has expanded its financial services with the introduction of DeFi loans through its self-custody wallet, leveraging a partnership with Venus Protocol. This MOVE marks a strategic foray into decentralized finance, challenging established players like Aave, which dominates the Ethereum-based DeFi lending space.
The new feature allows users to borrow against collateral such as Bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH), with a 400,000 USDT reward pool incentivizing participation. Loans are structured to maintain user control of assets while unlocking liquidity for trading or yield farming, circumventing potential tax implications from asset sales.
Venus Protocol, the largest lending platform on Binance Smart Chain (BNB), brings over $22 billion in liquidity to the initiative. The collaboration underscores Binance's ambition to capture market share in DeFi lending, currently dominated by Ethereum protocols.
