CZ on His Pardon: “There Were No Deals”

Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent pardon by Donald Trump. Speaking with Fox News, CZ said the decision came as a surprise to him and emphasized that there were no deals or business arrangements involved. He explained that he met Eric Trump only once, briefly, during a Bitcoin conference in Abu Dhabi — a meeting completely unrelated to Binance or the pardon.

CZ reminded viewers that in 2023 he had admitted to compliance failures at Binance and served a four-month prison sentence. He noted that taking responsibility was necessary in order to move forward. Today, he says his focus is on supporting the growth of the U.S. cryptocurrency market, which he believes is entering a new, more transparent phase.

When asked about his decision, Donald Trump stated that he barely knows CZ and that the pardon was not based on any personal relationship. He added that his goal is to strengthen America’s position as a global leader in crypto innovation, especially as China and Japan increase their activity in the sector. According to Trump, previous administrations treated CZ unfairly, and supporting cryptocurrency development is key to keeping the U.S. economy competitive.

The matter has also drawn attention from Congress. Representative Robert Garcia has requested that the White House provide full documentation regarding CZ, Binance, and the Trump family. The investigation aims to determine whether the pardon may have had any business-related motives. The documents are expected to be submitted by November 20, 2025.

Analysts point out that, regardless of the circumstances, cryptocurrencies have become an integral part of global politics and finance. Industry leaders now meet with heads of state, attend economic summits, and influence government decisions. Crypto is no longer a niche phenomenon — it has become a key pillar of the global economy.