Binance CZ Pardon by Trump Ends AML Case, Denies Trump Ties
The presidential pardon of Binance CZ by former President Donald Trump has officially closed Changpeng Zhao’s legal chapter on anti-money laundering (AML) violations. Zhao, who pleaded guilty to DOJ charges in November 2023 and served four months in prison after Binance’s $4.3 billion fine, received the unexpected pardon in October 2025, expunging his record. He denies any business or personal ties to the Trump family or the World Liberty Financial project and confirms no meetings occurred to arrange the pardon. Trump said he knew Zhao’s crypto-involved sons but not Zhao himself. Traders will monitor how this Binance CZ pardon affects Binance’s regulatory standing and market reputation.
Bullish
This Binance CZ pardon removes legal uncertainty around Changpeng Zhao’s control of Binance and should boost confidence in BNB. In the short term, trader sentiment toward Binance (BNB) is likely to improve, lifting token demand. Over the long term, reduced legal risk and clearer regulatory outlook tied to CZ’s exoneration could stabilize BNB price and support broader market confidence in major exchange tokens. However, ongoing scrutiny of AML compliance means investors should stay cautious on potential regulatory changes.