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You Won’t Believe Why Binance’s Ex-Boss Wants Trump’s Forgiveness and What Happens Next!

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Changpeng Zhao (CZ)—who, for legal reasons, is usually referred to as “the former CEO of Binance” and not “that chap who can never find his keys”—recently dropped some news of galactic proportions. In an interview that probably involved less tea and more lawyers than one would like, CZ announced he had actually filed for a presidential pardon, specifically requesting Donald Trump’s signature. Whether he asked nicely or slid the application under the White House door with a $5 crypto voucher, we’ll never know. 🪙

Before anyone can picture CZ storming back with a cape to reclaim his CEO-ness, let’s pop that bubble: he’s not planning a return to Binance’s Iron Throne. The crypto kingdom will have to get by without his dramatic entrances and existential tweets for the foreseeable future.

When Life Gives You Headlines, File Paperwork

The news arrived via the Farokh Radio podcast, where CZ outlined this modern fairy tale. According to him, he only decided to apply for clemency after Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal hinted he’d already done the paperwork. Since the universe apparently runs on self-fulfilling prophecies, CZ’s team obediently sent the actual forms. “If they’re going to write the story, we might as well go full method actor,” he seemed to suggest.

Let’s rewind to March, when Zhao, feeling as misrepresented as a wizard at an IT help desk, tweeted that he hadn’t discussed any heroic deals involving Binance U.S. or presidential back-pats. Yet, in an admirably honest moment, CZ implied he wouldn’t exactly throw the pardon back if someone giftwrapped it:

“No felon would mind a pardon, especially being the only one in U.S. history who was ever sentenced to prison for a single BSA charge.”
– CZ, channeling the world-weary optimism of a Discworld ex-wizard

Apparently, Trump’s previous benevolent handouts—like those to various BitMEX founders—gave CZ some hope. If there’s one thing crypto cowboys love, it’s precedent, especially the kind that comes with legal loopholes and fancy parchment.

Binance CEO? More Like, Not-Any-More-o

Even with hopes for a magic presidential signature, CZ says he’s not looking to return to steer Binance’s ship through the wild blockchain seas. He still owns a king’s share of the company, which means he’ll always have decent seats at shareholder karaoke, but nothing with the word “Chief” on his name tag.

CZ’s own Dibbler-esque saga of fines and consequences began in November 2023, when he admitted to a money laundering violation (because, let’s face it, “creative washing” doesn’t hold up in court). Binance dutifully coughed up $4.3 billion, of which CZ chipped in a humble $50 million. He got to step down and, for added drama, received a four-month holiday (prison edition) with a lifetime ban from Binance’s C-suite. 🎩

The U.S. authorities say even if CZ gets his golden pardon, his conviction is like glitter—impossible to get rid of entirely, but with the magic paperwork, he might be allowed to show up at Binance’s company picnics as an “advisor” or “Grand Vizier of Web3,” provided he brings his own snacks.

In true globe-trotting, footloose style, CZ has filled his new calendar with international escapades. These days, you’ll find him poking at policy in Pakistan or signing mysterious MOUs with Kyrgyz magnates, all while probably wondering where he left his original Bitcoin wallet password.

In the end, it turns out that being pardoned by a president is only slightly easier than being forgiven by the market—both involve a lot of paperwork, suspense, and bizarre podcasts. 🥸

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2025-05-08 22:00

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