Donald Trump has once again demonstrated his unique approach to executive clemency, this time extending a pardon to Changpeng Zhao [1], the billionaire founder of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange [4], [5], [7]. Zhao, referred to simply as CZ [6], had previously pleaded guilty to serious charges of violating anti-money laundering laws and sanctions [2], [1]. This wasn’t merely a lapse; it was an admission of enabling a multi-billion-dollar operation rife with illicit financial flows.
The Curious Case of the Convenient Pardon
The timing and beneficiary of this pardon are hardly coincidental. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to frame Zhao’s prosecution as a political maneuver by the Biden administration in their war on cryptocurrency [1]. A convenient narrative, perhaps, but one that crumbles under the weight of the facts: Zhao himself admitted guilt [2]. This wasn’t some politically motivated charge; it was a plea bargain for documented financial malfeasance.
A Quid Pro Quo in Plain Sight
The real story, as it often is, lies in the financial entanglements. Binance, under Zhao’s leadership, is not merely a distant entity in the sprawling crypto landscape; it’s a significant backer of Trump’s own crypto venture, World Liberty Financial [1]. Earlier this year, World Liberty Financial facilitated a staggering $2 billion investment into Binance [3]. Let’s be clear: this isn’t charity. This is a powerful, reciprocal relationship. Zhao’s company boosts Trump’s financial interests, and in return, Zhao receives a presidential pardon for serious criminal convictions. The connections are not subtle; they are laid bare for anyone willing to look beyond the official spin. This isn’t justice served; it’s a transaction completed, wrapped neatly in the guise of presidential authority.
Sources & Footnotes
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/10/23/trump-pardons-billionaire-binance-founder-and-his-crypto-ally-changpeng-zhao/ ↩
- https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5569683-trump-pardons-binance-founder/ ↩
- https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/23/trump-pardons-crypto-billionaire-changpeng-zhao-00620175 ↩
- https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2025-10-23/trump-pardons-binance-founder-changpeng-zhao ↩
- https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/trump-pardons-binance-founder-changpeng-zhao-21116161.php ↩
- https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/trump-pardon-binance-cz ↩
- https://www.wsaz.com/2025/10/23/trump-pardons-binance-founder-changpeng-zhao/ ↩
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