Presidential Pardon: Trump Denies Knowing Binance Founder CZ
US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after granting a presidential pardon to Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, despite claiming he doesn’t know him personally. In a CBS News interview, Trump stated, “I don’t know who he is,” when asked about Zhao’s pardon, adding that he had been told Zhao was a victim of a “witch hunt” by the Biden administration.
The pardon, issued on October 23, 2025, lifted restrictions that had barred Zhao from running financial ventures. Zhao had pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating anti-money laundering laws and served a four-month prison sentence. Trump’s decision has drawn criticism from lawmakers, who argue it represents a conflict of interest given Binance’s financial ties to Trump-affiliated ventures.
When questioned about Binance’s $2 billion deal linked to his family’s stablecoin project, World Liberty Financial, Trump dismissed the inquiry, stating he was “too busy” to know the specifics. He emphasized that his sons are managing the family’s crypto business independently, saying, “They’re running a business, they’re not in government.”
Trump’s comments have sparked debate, with many questioning how he could pardon someone he claims not to know, especially given the alleged connections between Binance and his family’s business ventures. Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have called the pardon a clear example of “pay for play”.
The controversy surrounding the pardon has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the growing influence of cryptocurrency in US politics. As the crypto industry continues to evolve, the intersection of politics and cryptocurrency is likely to remain a contentious issue. #Presidential Pardon: Trump Denies Knowing Binance Founder CZ#
