Trump Pardons Binance Founder CZ, Impacts U.S. Crypto Landscape

On October 23, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) after his 2023 conviction for anti-money laundering violations, potentially easing Binance’s U.S. operational restrictions.

The pardon could revive Binance’s U.S. presence, reflecting improved cryptocurrency market sentiment, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP experiencing price increases post-announcement.

Trump’s Pardon Could End Binance’s U.S. Legal Hurdles

Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, was pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump. Zhao had previously pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating U.S. anti-money laundering rules and faced a four-month prison sentence. Lobbyist Ches McDowell played a significant role in obtaining the pardon.

This legal relief may likely facilitate Binance’s return to U.S. markets, as the DOJ’s compliance oversight may end prematurely. However, additional approvals from Trump or the Treasury Secretary are required to lift separate oversight established by the Treasury Department.

The cryptocurrency market reacted positively, with Bitcoin increasing to $19,000 and Ethereum trading at $3,878. Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, criticized the Biden Administration’s prior actions. Donald Trump stated, “A lot of people said that he wasn’t guilty of anything… as I was told… he had a lot of support… so I gave him a pardon at the request of a lot of very good people.”

Crypto Market Sees Positive Reaction as Bitcoin Hits $19,000

Did you know? Binance’s previous $4.3 billion settlement in 2023 was akin to BitMEX’s legal resolution, showcasing the scale of regulatory challenges faced by major exchanges.

As per CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin (BTC) is priced at $110,489.25 with a market cap of 2.20 trillion. Despite a 1.92% 24-hour increase, Bitcoin has seen a negative 7-day change, down to 1.19%. The total trading volume was $52.28 billion, showing a dip of 31.14%.

Coincu research team points to potential easing in U.S. regulations affecting Binance’s operations. Despite continuing oversight challenges, the pardon might boost market confidence and spur technological advancements in U.S.-based operations.

Changpeng Zhao, Founder, Binance, – “Deeply grateful” for the pardon after confirmation of Trump’s executive action.