Donald Trump has pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao's 2023 money laundering conviction, reportedly after lobbying efforts and interactions with the Trump family's crypto ventures. The pardon has sparked debate on U.S. crypto policy, with Binance Coin rising 5%, reflecting a potential shift towards regulatory relief.
Trump's Intervention and its Implications
Donald Trump’s decision to pardon Changpeng Zhao comes after extensive lobbying and close interactions between Binance and Trump's family’s ventures. This presidential intervention is an unexpected reversal of Zhao’s conviction, which previously resulted in a four-month prison term. Speculation exists around Binance's strategies in light of U.S. market reentry.
Zhao's pardon is seen as pivotal, potentially easing regulatory pressures. Binance Coin (BNB) spiked over 5% recently, highlighting investor anticipation of ease in U.S. operations. Industry reactions highlight the challenges of unpredictable U.S. crypto governance, while suggesting enhanced institutional participation for Binance’s assets.
Community reactions on platforms like X (Twitter) emphasize a mix of cautious optimism about policy implications. Official reactions remain sparse, but opinions focus on regulatory intentions and the future landscape for crypto enterprises, following a White House statement that the Biden administration’s “war on crypto is over.”
Market Data and Future Insights
Did you know? Previous high-profile crypto enforcement actions, like those involving BitMEX, did not see presidential pardons, highlighting the uniqueness of Trump's decision regarding Changpeng Zhao and Binance.
As of October 23, 2025, Binance Coin (BNB) was trading at $1,137.07, with a market cap of $158.26 billion. Binance Coin's price increased by 5.78% over the past 24 hours and 48.30% over the last 90 days, according to CoinMarketCap data.
The Coincu research team notes the pardon could lead to regulatory realignments, allowing Binance to regain its footing within U.S. markets. Analysts suggest potential for strong institutional engagement, considering the market's historical rebound during regulatory ease, though uncertainties surrounding longer-term regulations remain.