Will Trump Pardon the Former Binance Boss? The Rumor Grows!

Is Donald Trump still only the president of the United States, or is he gradually becoming the baron of the crypto-sphere? Signals are multiplying: symbolic gestures, decisions favoring the crypto industry, and alignments with its most controversial figures. The former boss of Binance, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), knows something about it. Behind the persistent rumor of a presidential pardon, a whole game of influences is unfolding. Between political maneuvers, market speculations, and passionate reactions on X, Trump definitely no longer has the same status as before.

Trump, the Pardon, and the Political Battle Around CZ

CZ’s fate is no longer only a matter of justice; it now enters the political arena. The former CEO of Binance served four months in prison in 2024 for anti-money laundering violations. Officially banned from resuming his position, he nevertheless requested a presidential pardon from Trump.

On Polymarket, bets soared to a 64% probability before dropping to 45%. The Republican camp presents this hypothesis as a continuity, Trump having already pardoned Ross Ulbricht (Silk Road) and the three founders of BitMEX.

But the Democrats, led by Elizabeth Warren, denounce “worrying” financial links between the Trump family and Binance via World Liberty Financial. In a letter addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi, three senators ask: Is Binance trying to escape the supervision imposed in 2023? That agreement, however, provided for a $4.3 billion fine and three years of enhanced control.

Between pro-crypto activists and hardline supporters, Washington is divided over CZ’s fate.

CZ, Between X Profile and Lingering Shadow on Binance

It all started with an apparently trivial detail: CZ removed the “ex-@binance” tag from his X profile. A gesture perceived by many as a sign of return. On social media, some defended him fervently. 

Tulip King, a well-known figure in the ecosystem, wrote:

Most people have a bad opinion of CZ, they think everything is criminal. In reality, he is one of the most aligned actors in all of crypto… The fact is his exposure to crypto is so vast and broad that his sole goal is to raise all cryptos. He is on our side.

This defense clearly illustrates the divide: for some, Zhao remains an indispensable pillar; for others, he embodies the danger of excessive influence in an already pressured sector.

Presidential Pardon: What Future for Trump and Crypto Regulation?

Beyond the CZ case, a pardon would have significant consequences for American crypto regulation. Trump supporters see it as a symbol: that of an America embracing its role as the global hub of digital assets. Opponents, on the contrary, detect a weakening of the safeguards implemented after the 2023 agreement.

Meanwhile, the markets are tracking the rumor closely. Binance’s BNB token surpassed $1,000, overtaking Solana and establishing itself as the fifth largest crypto by market capitalization. The momentum reflects how politics weighs on the sector’s evolution. 

Some Key Figures to Remember

• 64%: record chance of pardon for CZ on Polymarket before dropping to 45%;
• $4.3 billion: amount of the fine paid by Binance in its 2023 settlement;
• $1,000: symbolic threshold reached by BNB, surpassing Solana in market cap;
• 4 months: duration of the prison sentence served by CZ in 2024.

References to Trump multiply in the crypto ecosystem, becoming omnipresent. They sometimes take the form of political speculations, sometimes symbolic initiatives. Should we recall this golden statue brandishing a bitcoin erected in Washington, which recently sparked controversy? Between image cult and strategic gestures, the relationship between Trump and crypto has never been so scrutinized.