Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao Cleared By Trump Pardon

President Donald Trump has pardoned Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, who pleaded guilty to money laundering in 2023. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump acted because Zhao’s prosecution by the Biden administration was excessively harsh, framing it as part of the administration’s “war on cryptocurrency.”

President Trump has pardoned Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge in 2023. https://t.co/zw7CNtXqaO

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) October 23, 2025

Zhao was sentenced in May 2024 to four months in prison after admitting he failed to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program. He also stepped down as CEO of Binance and paid $200 million in fines.

Binance as a company settled with the federal government for over $4 billion, admitting to anti-money laundering failures, unlicensed money transmitting, and sanctions violations.

Breaking: President Trump has pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, whose crypto exchange has been boosting the Trump family's own crypto venture https://t.co/OxksrhgUyJ

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 23, 2025

The pardon could enable Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, to resume operations in the United States, reversing regulatory hurdles imposed under previous investigations.

The move signals Trump’s ongoing pro-business, deregulatory stance on the crypto sector.

Also read:

Elon Musk Seeks $1 Trillion To Shield Tesla From “Corporate Terrorists”

Elon Musk told investors he needs nearly $1 trillion in Tesla stock options to protect the company from what he calls “corporate terrorists,” advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis. 🔊 ’It’s not about the money. He’s saying, it’s not like I’m gonna spend it, but I want to be sure that

tippinsightsTIPP Staff

U.S. Debt Tops $38 Trillion As Shutdown Adds To Fiscal Strain

The U.S. national debt has topped $38 trillion for the first time, according to Treasury Department data, as the government shutdown stretches on and hundreds of thousands of federal employees go unpaid. Economists say shutdowns delay fiscal decisions and add billions in costs, worsening the deficit. The U.S.

tippinsightsTIPP Staff