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- Changpeng Zhao denied claims of any deal linked to his presidential pardon.
- He said he only met Eric Trump once at a crypto event in Abu Dhabi.
- Zhao expressed gratitude toward President Trump and supported clear U.S. crypto regulations.
Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) clarified reports about his recent presidential pardon, rejecting any claims of secret arrangements or political exchanges. In an interview with Fox News, Zhao explained that he met Eric Trump once at a Bitcoin conference in Abu Dhabi but had no business ties with the Trump family or their firms.
Zhao emphasized that the decision to pardon him came as a surprise. He said his legal team filed a petition earlier in the year, but there was no communication or assurance about the outcome. According to Zhao, the pardon was not the result of lobbying or negotiation but part of a broader shift in U.S. policy toward cryptocurrency.
The Justice Department had previously charged Zhao for failing to comply with anti-money-laundering and sanctions regulations. He accepted responsibility, pled guilty, and served a short sentence before receiving the pardon. Zhao stated that he chose to face the charges directly in the U.S. to close that chapter and move forward.
CZ Praises Trump for Ending Federal War on Crypto
President Trump recently announced an end to what he described as the federal “war on crypto.” His administration has signaled a friendlier approach to digital assets, aiming to make the United States a global hub for blockchain innovation. Zhao said he views this development positively, adding that clear policies will help the industry grow responsibly.
He praised the current efforts to establish regulatory clarity through new frameworks like the proposed Genius Act. Zhao argued that these measures bring the transparency and stability needed to attract more institutional investors.
He also acknowledged that the lack of regulatory guidance during his case contributed to earlier compliance challenges at Binance. Zhao said he remains optimistic about the future of digital finance under the new administration. His remarks suggested that both global exchanges and local innovators could benefit from an open and well-regulated crypto economy.
Zhao Rejects Media Claims of Binance-Trump Connection
In response to public doubts, Zhao reiterated, “There were no ties whatsoever to Binance, from a funding perspective, nor from a personal relationship, to any Trump-related entity, including World Liberty Financial. The idea is completely false.”
Zhao thanked the pardon, saying it gave him a chance to start afresh. He said he would work to make sure America takes a lead in the development of digital assets.
The ex-Binance executive concluded his speech by saying that it is time to have progress, not politics. He predicts a bright future for the crypto market because it has entered a new era, which is transparency, compliance, and progress.
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