game 08 May 2025 ▪ 4 min in reading ▪ By Fenelon L.
After having denied the rumors, Changpeng Zhao (CZ) finally confirmed that he had requested a presidential pardon with Donald Trump. The founder of Binance, sentenced for money laundering in 2023, hopes to lighten the restrictions that have been weighing on him since his release from prison.
In short
- CZ admitted to a podcast that his lawyers had applied for Trump.
- This approach comes after he denied this information last March.
- Grace would not remove his conviction, but could allow him to resume a role in Binance.
From negation to confirmation: the turnaround of CZ
During an episode of the Podcast Farokh Radio broadcast on May 6, Changpeng Zhao admitted that his lawyers had applied for presidential grace about two weeks ago.
This turnaround occurs after he firmly denied the information published by Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal in March, according to which he sought to obtain the leniency of Trump.
« I have lawyers who made a request “He said, adding that he had finally decided to” officially Following these press articles.
CZ also specified that the recent grace granted by Trump to the three founders of Bitmex, of which Arthur Hayes, had motivated it in this process.
This request comes while rumors persist concerning possible negotiations between the Trump and Binance family for the acquisition of participation in the US subsidiary of the Exchange. The Wall Street Journal had revealed in March that these discussions would have started in 2024 while CZ served its sentence.
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A conviction that limits its influence on Binance
In November 2023, Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty of money laundering in the context of an agreement with the American authorities.
This agreement had cost $ 4.3 billion in Binance, including 50 million personally paid by CZ. He was also forced to resign from his CEO post.
Sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, the entrepreneur was also prohibited from working at Binance as part of his advocacy agreement.
According to the United States Ministry of Justice, presidential grace would not erase its conviction, but could potentially allow it to resume a management role at Binance US.
Despite this approach, CZ claims not to want to return to the head of Binance. “” I feel that the team is doing well and does not need me “He said during the Binance Blockchain Week in November.
Since his release from prison, he converted as an advisor to Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan on issues related to Crypto regulations.
This possible grace and the Trump-Binance rapprochement could mark a turning point in American crypto regulation. After tense years between the authorities and the exchange platforms, this strategic alliance could point out a new approach more favorable to the sector, consolidating the position of the United States as a land of reception for innovation blockchain.
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Passionate about Bitcoin, I like to explore the meanders of blockchain and cryptos and I share my discoveries with the community. My dream is to live in a world where privacy and financial freedom are guaranteed for everyone, and I firmly believe that Bitcoin is the tool that can make this possible.
