CZ’s Comeback Reshapes Crypto's US Future

The pardon granted to Changpeng Zhao by Donald Trump marks a turning point in the relationship between political power and the crypto industry in the United States. In a context of strong regulatory tensions, this gesture revives debates about the future of the sector. As the Republican camp increasingly shows a favorable position towards cryptos, this decision raises a central question: are we witnessing a strategic repositioning of the United States in favor of these assets?

A presidential pardon under high tension

On October 22, Donald Trump officially granted a presidential pardon to Changpeng Zhao, former CEO of Binance, found guilty of violations of U.S. anti-money laundering laws.

This decision, announced rather discreetly, is justified by humanitarian reasons and a stated intention to repair a possible political persecution, according to the president’s statements.

Several key elements help better understand the contours of this pardon and its immediate impact :

• CZ pleaded guilty at the end of 2023 before U.S. authorities for systemic compliance failures at Binance ;

• The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) initially fined Binance $4.3 billion as part of a global settlement ;

• The presidential pardon comes after lobbying by Binance, notably via alleged support for World Liberty Financial, a crypto project linked to the Trump family ;

• The pardon announcement precedes by a few days a major decree signed by Trump, reinforcing the strategic and political reading of this timing ;

• CZ remained silent after his conviction, but this rehabilitation marks his gradual return to the public crypto debate.

While Trump’s decision provoked mixed reactions, it nevertheless seems to fit into a political strategy to court the Web3 electorate. For CZ, this presidential act represents more than legal liberation. It restores political weight to his voice, at the very moment the United States is considering a new crypto era.

A promise of prosperity that divides

It was on X (formerly Twitter) that Changpeng Zhao publicly spoke again, just days after his presidential pardon. In a brief message, he writes : “crypto will make a lot of money for the country”.

"Crypto's gonna make a lot of money for the country." https://t.co/H6g8qriTSC

— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) October 25, 2025

This statement comes just after Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at positioning the United States as “the global capital of bitcoin and crypto”.

This decree is presented as a strong signal sent to investors and innovators in the sector, with the stated goal of bringing back to the United States the capital, talents, and crypto projects currently hindered by regulatory uncertainty.

CZ, by emphasizing cryptos’ ability to “bring money to the country”, aligns with this economic rebound logic through digital means. His message implies an optimistic vision: that crypto can be a growth engine, capable of generating tax revenues, technological innovation, and skilled jobs, provided a favorable legal framework is established.

However, this perspective also triggers concerns, notably about control mechanisms, risks of unmanaged decentralization, or illicit uses still too poorly regulated.

The implications of this media statement are multiple. On one side, it strengthens CZ’s credibility as an influential figure, capable of influencing a country’s economic choices. On the other, it rekindles questions about the independence of institutions in the face of the crypto private interests. As the United States considers reorganizing their regulatory approach, as evidenced by the vote on the Genius Act, CZ’s voice could serve as a catalyst for new initiatives or, conversely, crystallize tensions between innovation and financial sovereignty.