U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a full pardon to Changpeng Zhao, the founder and former CEO of Binance. Zhao, commonly known as “CZ,” pleaded guilty in November 2023 to violating U.S. anti-money-laundering laws and was sentenced to four months in prison. He completed his term in 2024 as part of a broader $4.3 billion settlement between Binance and U.S. authorities.
Post his pardon, CZ has committed to help with everything he can to make America the Capital of Crypto and advance web3 worldwide.
Deeply grateful for today’s pardon and to President Trump for upholding America’s commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice.
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) October 23, 2025
🙏🙏🙏🙏
Will do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto and advance web3 worldwide.
(Still in flight, more posts to come.)…
A Divisive Decision
The move immediately reignited debate across political and financial circles. Supporters within the crypto industry have welcomed the pardon as a symbolic end to years of strict enforcement actions against digital asset firms.
Crypto advocate Anthony Pompliano commented, "There is no place for political targeting in the US justice system."
It is great to see @cz_binance receive a pardon.
— Anthony Pompliano 🌪 (@APompliano) October 23, 2025
He has done an excellent job innovating in finance and helping advance America’s interest around the world.
There is no place for political targeting in the US justice system, regardless of which side does it.
However, critics argue the decision sets a troubling precedent. Legal experts noted that while the pardon removes Zhao’s criminal record, it does not automatically lift civil or regulatory restrictions imposed on Binance or its executives.
Market and Industry Reactions
Following the announcement, Binance’s native token BNB rose about 8% in early trading, while broader crypto markets saw modest gains amid expectations of a friendlier U.S. regulatory tone. Analysts say the decision could influence how future administrations handle digital asset enforcement. Still, the long-term impact on Binance remains uncertain. The exchange continues to face ongoing compliance reviews in several jurisdictions.
The Bigger Picture
The pardon arrives amid a broader shift in U.S. crypto policy under Trump’s leadership, following his administration’s previous announcements on a national Bitcoin reserve and pro-blockchain innovation agenda. While the crypto community views the decision as a potential turning point, critics warn it may blur the line between political favor and regulatory accountability.