Binance founder CZ: Trump “tends” to pardon

INFBusiness
15.10.2025
Markets

The US government is apparently considering a pardon for Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, according to US media reports citing people close to the US president.
According to New York Post columnist Charles Gasparino, the White House is currently “intensively discussing a possible pardon.” Trump himself, Gasparino says, is leaning toward a pardon, “which could pave the way for CZ's return to the top of the crypto exchange Binance.” More critical voices, however, are “concerned about the external impact of a pardon, especially given the president's crypto business interests.” A decision could be made “soon.”
Zhao was sentenced to four months in prison in April 2024 after Binance agreed to a $4.3 billion fine as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)—one of the largest fines ever imposed on a financial company. Since his release in September 2024, Zhao has lived outside the U.S. and largely stayed out of the public eye.
The discussion about a possible pardon comes at a time when the US administration under Trump is taking a significantly more crypto-friendly stance. Since Trump took office, the White House has actively sought to engage with the industry, while regulators such as the SEC and the Treasury Department have noticeably relaxed their regulations.
At the end of January, Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road. In March, pardons followed for three co-founders of the crypto exchange BitMEX, including Arthur Hayes.

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