Trump Pardons Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao

President Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng CZ Zhao on Oct. 23, 2025, erasing his 2023 guilty plea and four‑month prison term for violations of U.S. anti‑money‑laundering and sanctions laws that were resolved as part of a $4.3 billion DOJ settlement with Binance. The White House framed the pardon as ending the Biden administration’s “war on crypto,” and markets saw short‑term rebounds in major cryptocurrencies. Critics said the clemency raises corruption and conflict‑of‑interest concerns because Zhao and Binance had business ties and spent on lawyers and lobbying connected to the Trump family’s crypto venture. Regulators including the DOJ and Treasury had warned that Binance’s compliance failures allowed funds tied to terrorism, drug trafficking and child sexual abuse to flow through the platform, and opponents argue the pardon undermines enforcement against such misconduct. Supporters and some market commentators say the pardon could stabilize Binance, clear the way for CZ’s return to influence, and help fuel bullish momentum in crypto markets.