Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the former CEO and founder of Binance, has officially confirmed that he has filed for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. The crypto billionaire revealed the news during a recent appearance on the Farokh Radio podcast, clarifying that the pardon request was submitted by his legal team two weeks ago.
CZ Applies for Presidential Clemency Following Media Reports
The filing follows media reports in March from Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal that suggested CZ was seeking a pardon related to his crypto dealings and possible connections to the Trump family. Initially denying those claims, Zhao now admits the reports spurred him into taking formal action.
“We only submitted after the Bloomberg and Wall Street Journal articles came out,” CZ stated. “If they are writing this article, we might as well just officially apply.”
Zhao, who pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), noted he would not oppose clemency:
“No felon would mind a pardon, especially being the only one in U.S. history who was ever sentenced to prison for a single BSA charge.”
He also cited Trump’s past decision to pardon BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes as partial motivation for his request.
CZ Says He Won’t Return to Binance Leadership
Despite confirming his presidential pardon filing, Zhao made it clear he has no intentions of returning as CEO of Binance.
“I’m not really looking to become CEO of Binance again,” he said.
Though barred from holding an executive role due to his conviction, CZ remains Binance’s largest shareholder. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has stated that a Trump pardon wouldn’t erase his record but could open the door for renewed involvement in the company’s operations.
Post-Prison: CZ Focuses on Global Crypto Policy
Following his four-month prison sentence, Zhao has shifted his focus abroad. He is currently advising Pakistan’s crypto council and assisting Kyrgyzstan with Web3 policy under a signed memorandum with the country’s National Investment Agency.
