Changpeng Zhao
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao now has a $110 billion fortune, placing him 17th on Forbes' 2026 Billionaires list and surpassing Bill Gates. The rise comes about 17 months after his release from a federal prison in California.
Changpeng Zhao, Binance founder, received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, reopening doors for his leadership at Binance despite prior convictions related to money laundering. The pardon sparks discussions about crypto regulation and political influences.
Binance CEO Richard Teng denied involvement in promoting or facilitating the Trump-linked stablecoin USD1, clarifying that the $2 billion MGX investment was independently settled with USD1 by MGX. This comes amid scrutiny over former CEO Changpeng Zhao's pardon and concerns about Binance's ties to Trump ventures.
Donald Trump granted a presidential pardon to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty to anti-money laundering failures in 2023. This move sparked scrutiny due to Zhao's Binance ties with Trump's family business and contrasting regulatory views between Trump and Biden governments.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has been pardoned by the White House after pleading guilty to anti-money laundering violations in 2023. The pardon highlights political divides over cryptocurrency regulation and raises questions about ongoing market reform discussions.
On October 24, 2025, President Trump issued a pardon to Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, sparking criticism from Democratic senators including Elizabeth Warren, who called for condemnation of the decision. This development highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding influential figures in the crypto industry.
Democrats are demanding transparency regarding reports that former President Trump was lobbied for a pardon on behalf of Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao. This political development raises questions about regulatory oversight and crypto industry influence.
On October 28, 2025, Senators Warren, Schiff, and Merkley condemned President Trump's pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, citing failures in anti-money laundering compliance and implicating broader corruption concerns within crypto. The incident sparks discussions on crypto regulation and integrity.
On October 28, 2025, former President Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) after his guilty plea and imprisonment related to anti-money laundering violations. The pardon signals a possible shift towards accommodating the crypto industry amid controversies and political debate.
President Donald Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao following the SEC's dismissal of fraud charges, sparking criticism from Congresswoman Maxine Waters.