What To Know:
- CZ says he has no ties to the Trump family, thanking Trump for the pardon that restores his ability to do business in the US.
- He signaled interest in re-entering the US market, after Binance previously scaled back due to regulatory pressure and shrinking market share.
- Zhao pledged to support US crypto development, including BNB-ecosystem projects, compliance improvements, and institutional access.
Changpeng Zhao, (aka CZ) said he has no relationship with the Trump family and expressed gratitude for the pardon, which he said removes a legal obstacle and allows him greater freedom to pursue business worldwide, including in the US. Speaking at a KOL and Media Interaction session, Zhao added he is willing to help make the United States the crypto capital.
CZ Distances Himself From Trump Family
Zhao recounted how Binance altered its stance toward the US after intense regulatory pressure under the previous administration. The company scaled back operations, avoided fresh investments, and intentionally reduced ties to US businesses. He pointed to Binance US as an example: once holding roughly 35 percent of the domestic market at the time of the 2023 SEC suit, it now accounts for only a sliver. Banking relationships and several state licenses were lost as the company retrenched.
The October pardon cleared Zhao’s criminal record and restored his formal ability to operate in the United States. The legal consequences he and his firm endured were severe: a short prison sentence for Zhao, a multi-billion-dollar resolution for the company, and allegations that Binance had processed illicit flows linked to hackers, sanctioned actors, and terrorism-related accounts. Government critics said the penalties reflected serious compliance failures, while supporters argued the settlement had already imposed significant costs.
Zhao presented the pardon as an opening rather than an exoneration. He described the US as strategically important because of its concentration of technology talent, capital, and leadership in adjacent fields such as artificial intelligence. He argued that although blockchain pioneers and leading projects currently sit outside the United States in many cases, there is value in encouraging those teams and enterprises to relocate parts of their operations or to deepen ties with American markets. Zhao pledged support for startups, investment, and targeted assistance to projects within the BNB Chain ecosystem.
He also acknowledged the political headwinds that accompany his return. The pardon produced sharply divided reactions. The move was accepted by many in the crypto ecosystem; some saw it as a reset that could enable constructive engagement with US institutions. Experts and policy analysts, as well as some lawmakers, criticized the pardon as embodying unequal access to leniency for rich people, and said it raised the specter of business relationships influencing public policy.
Media reports have also challenged alleged ties between Binance infrastructure and firms affiliated with the Trump family to bolster demands for strict oversight. Operationally, Zhao said Binance plans to help US investors better understand BNB and the projects built on its chain. That aim, he said, will be supported through technology partnerships, talent recruitment, and direct project support, targeted at increasing institutional access and educational outreach. He framed these actions as pragmatic steps to rebuild confidence and to encourage industry participants to consider the US as a viable base for activity.
Regulators and lawmakers figure prominently in Zhao’s calculus. Expansion of Binance’s US footprint would need to adhere to licensing regulations, rigorous anti-money-laundering controls, and continuous monitoring. Zhao vowed to ensure stronger compliance practices and cooperate with regulators to address concerns raised by earlier enforcement actions. The pardon eliminates a certain legal barrier, but not the scrutiny.
Zhao’s comments amounted to an offer to help rebuild the US crypto infrastructure together with public guarantees that it would abide by laws and cooperate with them. Both market participants and regulators will now scrutinize his next steps closely. For now, the sector is looking at how a high-profile executive tries to re-enter a market that once proved difficult to navigate.
Also Read: White House Defends Trump’s Pardon of Binance’s Changpeng Zhao
