Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao

image via TechCrunch

October 23, 2025, 4:41 PM

• •Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.
• •Zhao had pleaded guilty to money laundering and served prison time.
• •The pardon comes after reports of the Trump family's crypto venture benefits.
• •Zhao stepped down as CEO and paid a fine after the charges.

President Donald Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, who had previously pleaded guilty to money laundering charges and served four months in prison. This pardon was issued, according to the White House, as an exercise of constitutional authority and as a response to what they view as the Biden Administration's anti-crypto stance. The pardon follows reports of the Trump family's crypto venture benefiting from a partnership with a Binance-operated platform, which has generated billions. Zhao had stepped down as Binance CEO, paid a fine, and agreed not to serve as a Binance executive again after the charges.

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