CZ Makes Play for Trump Pardon—Because Even Crypto Kings Need a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao—better known as CZ—has reportedly filed for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Because nothing says ’decentralized ethos’ like begging for clemency from the ultimate centralized authority.
The move comes as CZ faces escalating legal heat, proving that even crypto’s biggest players aren’t above old-school political maneuvering. Who needs Satoshi’s anonymity when you’ve got lobbyists?
Wall Street snickers into its martini glasses. Meanwhile, Binance Coin (BNB) barely flinches—because in crypto, controversy is just another Tuesday.
Former CEO Files For Clemency
Zhao said on the Farokh Radio podcast that the application was submitted through his legal team two weeks ago. He explained that the decision to proceed came after news reports in March by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal alleged he was seeking a pardon in connection with crypto ventures linked to the TRUMP family.
“We only submitted after the Bloomberg article and the Wall Street Journal article came out,” Zhao said, referring to his initial denial of the reports. “If they are writing this article, we might as well just officially apply,” he added.
Back in March, Zhao publicly dismissed the report on X, saying the news outlet had reported incorrect information and that he had not held any discussions regarding a Binance U.S. deal.
However, he acknowledged that he WOULD not object to receiving amnesty:
“No felon would mind a pardon, especially being the only one in U.S. history who was ever sentenced to prison for a single BSA charge.”
In the recent interview, CZ further explained that part of the motivation came from President Trump’s previous decision to pardon the BitMEX founders, including Arthur Hayes, who pleaded guilty to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).
CZ Won’t Be Returning to Binance
Although Zhao is seeking clemency, he revealed he has no plans to return to the company’s leadership. “I’m not really looking to become CEO of Binance again,” he said. Despite stepping down, he remains the largest shareholder of the crypto exchange.
His legal troubles began in November 2023, when he pleaded guilty to a money laundering violation in a settlement with U.S. authorities. Binance agreed to pay a $4.3 billion penalty, with CZ contributing $50 million. The former executive was also ordered to resign as the company’s CEO.
He was later sentenced to four months in prison and banned from holding any role at Binance. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), while a presidential pardon would not erase his conviction, it could allow him to take on a managerial or operational position at the firm.
Since completing his prison term, Zhao has taken up advisory positions abroad. In Pakistan, he supports the nation’s crypto council with policy and infrastructure planning. He also signed an MOU with the National Investment Agency in Kyrgyzstan to assist with Web3 initiatives and digital finance development.
