Earlier today, it was reported that the Trump family was looking to acquire a stake in Binance US. As talks have begun, there was an interesting addition to the discussions. Specifically, Binance founder Changepeng ‘CZ’ Zhao had urged US President Trump to grant him a pardon.
Zhao was at the center of the prominent cryptocurrency exchange’s fraudulent activity that saw it plead guilty in 2023. Moreover, the founder and former CEO served four months in prison for his part in the matter. Now he is reportedly pushing for a pardon, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
JUST IN: 🇺🇸 Binance founder CZ is urging President Trump's administration to grant him a pardon. pic.twitter.com/lq5VrYuEgq
— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) March 13, 2025
Also Read: Abu Dhabi’s MGX Acquires $2B Stake in Binance
Binance Founder Eyes Pardon From Trump Amid Binacne US Acquisition Talks
There is no denying that the cryptocurrency market is a key part of the returning Trump administration. Throughout his first three months, he has worked to completely overhaul the nation’s cryptocurrency policy. Amid those efforts, he has set out to create the first crypto reserve in the nation’s history.
The asset classes’ importance to the president extends beyond the bounds of the Oval Office. Indeed, the Trump family is reportedly eyeing a stake in Binance US and making it a key part of their burgeoning digital asset empire. Amid those talks, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has reportedly sought a pardon from US President Trump.
Also Read: Changpeng Zhao’s Personal Crypto Portfolio Unveiled—What’s Fueling His Fortune
The Wall Street Journal reported that Binance reached out to the Trump family regarding a potential business deal for Binance US. Moreover, Zhao “has been pushing for the Trump administration to grant him a pardon,” sources note. The former CEO had pleaded guilty and served four months in prison for violating anti-money laundering regulations when he headed the cryptocurrency exchange.
There is little information regarding the state of the talks currently. Moreover, there is insight into the status of Zhao’s potential pardon, or what that would entail. He certainly isn’t the only high-profile crypto criminal seeking a pardon. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried asked for the same from Trump in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson.