Overview

• Changpeng Zhao, former Binance CEO, has officially applied for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, confirmed during a recent podcast appearance.
• Zhao’s legal team submitted the application two weeks after media reports linked him to Trump-family business discussions, which he publicly denied at the time.
• In 2023, Zhao pleaded guilty to anti-money laundering violations, paid a $50 million fine, and served a four-month prison term, concluding in September 2024.
• Eric Trump recently announced a $2 billion joint venture between the Trump-family crypto firm World Liberty Financial, Binance, and UAE-based MGX, further intertwining business and political interests.
• President Trump has previously pardoned high-profile crypto figures, including Silk Road’s Ross Ulbricht and BitMEX founders, setting a precedent for Zhao’s clemency request.