Trump White House Confirms ’Thorough Review’ of CZ Pardon - Breaking Silence on Crypto Giant’s Fate
The political bombshell just dropped—Washington's finally talking about the CZ pardon.
White House Breaks Crypto Silence
After weeks of radio silence, Trump administration officials confirmed they're conducting a 'thorough review' of the Binance founder's potential pardon. The announcement sent immediate ripples through crypto markets—because when the White House speaks about digital assets, traders listen.
Political Calculus Meets Crypto Reality
This isn't just about one executive's legal troubles—it's about setting precedent for how governments handle crypto leadership. The review process appears comprehensive, examining everything from regulatory compliance to international implications. Because nothing says 'thorough' like multiple government agencies moving at bureaucratic speed.
Market Implications and Industry Reaction
While traditional finance types clutch their pearls about 'regulatory uncertainty,' crypto natives see this as another step toward mainstream acceptance. The fact that a presidential administration is spending political capital reviewing a crypto CEO's case? That's institutional adoption playing out in real-time—even if the suits won't admit it.
The final decision could reshape crypto regulation for years—or just give Wall Street another reason to pretend they understand blockchain while secretly buying Bitcoin ETFs.
Is Trump Correcting a Wrong or Rewarding an Ally in the Crypto Industry?
Trump, in a recent CBS 60 Minutes interview, defended his decision to pardon Zhao, saying he had “no idea who he is” and rejecting suggestions that the MOVE was politically motivated.
@realDonaldTrump claimed he doesn’t know who @Binance founder @cz_binance is, despite granting him a presidential pardon.#Trump #Binancehttps://t.co/f456ny7t1M
Leavitt later clarified that the president meant he did not know Zhao personally and had no prior relationship with him.
The White House statement comes amid growing criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the pardon was influenced by Zhao’s reported financial ties to the Trump family’s crypto venture, World Liberty Financial.
Recent reports suggested that Binance had assisted in developing a stablecoin for the company and was involved in a $2 billion investment deal, claims denied by Binance CEO Richard Teng.
Binance CEO denies allegations that the exchange promoted Trump's stablecoin in exchange for Changpeng Zhao's presidential pardon.#Binance #CZ #Trumphttps://t.co/cDIAsMwlVy
During the extended segment of Trump’s 60 Minutes interview, CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell questioned whether pardoning Zhao created “the appearance of corruption,” given Binance’s reported business ties to the TRUMP family.
Trump dismissed the suggestion, calling Zhao’s case a “Biden witch hunt.”
He added that while his sons are active in the digital asset industry, his own involvement is limited, describing crypto as a “major industry” essential to maintaining U.S. competitiveness against China.
Notably, Leavitt said Zhao was “over-prosecuted by a weaponized DOJ,” claiming the Biden administration pursued an excessive sentence.
“Even the judge in his case said the punishment being sought was egregious,” she added. “The president is correcting that wrong and has officially ended the Biden administration’s war on the cryptocurrency industry.”
Zhao pleaded guilty in November 2023 to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program at Binance, a violation of the Bank Secrecy Act.
Prosecutors had requested a three-year prison term, but the sentencing judge ruled that too harsh and instead imposed a four-month sentence, which he began serving in April 2024 and was released in September of the same year.
Lawmakers Demand Probe Into Trump’s Financial Ties After CZ Pardon
The pardon has reignited political controversy in Washington. Senator Elizabeth Warren called it “an example of political corruption,” claiming Zhao had financed Trump’s stablecoin project and lobbied for clemency.
@SenWarren torched Trump’s pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao @cz_binance, calling the move “corruption” and urging Congress to step in.#CZ #TrumpPardon https://t.co/M9GD3yylkm
Congresswoman Maxine Waters said the decision “legitimizes crypto crime” and accused Trump of “doing massive favors for crypto criminals who have helped line his pockets.”
A group of Democratic senators, including Warren, Bernie Sanders, Chris Van Hollen, and Jack Reed, sent a letter to Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent demanding explanations on whether Trump’s financial ties to Zhao influenced the decision.
Democratic senators, including @SenWarren, are questioning President Trump's pardon of Changpeng Zhao, citing lobbying efforts and alleged financial links. #CZ #Trump #pardon #Binancehttps://t.co/QWiopjA4fb
Zhao’s legal team has since threatened to sue Senator Warren for defamation after she referred to his case as “criminal money laundering,” which his lawyers say mischaracterizes the charge.
Warren’s counsel rejected the claim, maintaining her statement was accurate and based on public record.
A lawyer for @SenWarren has dismissed threats of a defamation lawsuit from @Binance founder @cz_binance.#Warren #Cryptohttps://t.co/tPe5idfTd9
Notably, the pardon lifts prior restrictions that had prevented Zhao from engaging in financial ventures, though it remains unclear how it will affect his standing with U.S. regulators or his role at Binance.
