Binance founder CZ Zhao asked Trump to pardon money laundering conviction

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) confirmed he applied for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump for his money laundering conviction, reversing earlier denials of such a request.
Zhao pleaded guilty in November 2023 as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with US authorities and served a four-month prison sentence, stepping down as Binance CEO.
The pardon application was influenced by Trump’s pardoning of BitMEX founders and was submitted about two weeks prior to the podcast announcement.
Zhao has no plans to return as CEO but remains a Binance shareholder and has been involved in crypto advisory roles in Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.