Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao, the visionary behind Binance, has made it clear that while the CEO seat no longer appeals to him, he wouldn’t shy away from a pardon offered by Donald Trump. This revelation came to light on December 2, following a suggestion by John Lilic, the Executive Director of the Telos Foundation, on X. Lilic proposed that the incoming President Trump consider pardoning Zhao, emphasizing his pivotal role in advancing the cryptocurrency sector and overcoming legal hurdles from past criminal charges, which previously resulted in a four-month incarceration.
In his X post, Lilic advocated, “A pardon for @cz_binance by President @realDonaldTrump could pave the way for his comeback at @binance, propelling the crypto industry forward. He’s been unfairly targeted by legal battles.”
CZ responded to this proposition with clarity about his future intentions, expressing no desire to return as Binance’s CEO but showing openness to a pardon, stating, “No interest in the CEO role again. But a pardon? I wouldn’t say no.”
The interaction sparked broad support from the community, with many emphasizing CZ’s potential to significantly impact the cryptocurrency landscape, whether in a leadership role at Binance or in a governmental position to spearhead crypto adoption.
In an interview post-release, CZ addressed misconceptions about a “lifetime ban” from leading crypto exchanges as stipulated by his plea agreement, clarifying such terms were not part of the deal. He expressed a keen interest in dedicating his efforts towards mentoring and funding aspiring entrepreneurs in the crypto space.
November 2023 marked a turning point for CZ, who pleaded guilty to charges associated with Binance’s operational practices, including dealings with sanctioned nations and money laundering activities. As a result of his plea agreement with the U.S. government, Binance was subjected to a hefty 4.3 billion fine, with Zhao personally contributing 50 million and stepping down from his CEO position, though he remains a significant shareholder.
