Trump frees CZ from 2023 money laundering plea, slamming Biden-era “persecution” and unlocking Binance’s U.S. comeback.
BNB surges 3% to $611; Bitcoin eyes $100K as Trump’s pro-crypto pardons ignite investor frenzy.
CZ vows to crown America crypto’s capital, backed by Trump family deals worth billions in stablecoin swagger.
The Midnight Flight to Freedom: Gratitude from 30,000 FeetIn a tweet that’s already racking up millions of views, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao—crypto’s enigmatic billionaire and Binance former co-founder—poured out his heart mid-flight. “Deeply grateful for today’s pardon and to President Trump for upholding America’s commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice,” he wrote, flanked by praying hands emojis. Posted from the skies en route to who-knows-where, CZ vowed: “Will do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto and advance Web3 worldwide.” It’s poetic— the man once grounded by U.S. regulators now soaring toward redemption. This isn’t just a personal win; it’s a seismic shift for an industry long starved of regulatory grace.From Silk Road Shadows to Stablecoin Saviors: Trump’s Clemency Crusade
Flashback to November 2023: CZ, then Binance’s iron-fisted CEO, pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Bank Secrecy Act, admitting his exchange’s lax anti-money laundering controls let illicit funds flow unchecked. Binance coughed up a staggering $4.3 billion fine, barred from U.S. operations, and CZ stepped down—though he clung to majority ownership and his eye-watering $85 billion fortune. Sentenced to a lenient four months in low-security prison (served by September 2024), he emerged chastened but unbroken.
Enter Donald Trump, back in the White House and wielding pardons like a crypto miner’s pickaxe. On October 23, 2025, Trump didn’t mince words: “He wasn’t guilty… persecuted by the Biden administration.” This follows his January pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the Silk Road founder rotting away on a life sentence—a libertarian crypto cause célèbre. Trump’s rationale? Undo Biden’s “war on cryptocurrency,” where overzealous enforcement painted innovators as villains. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt echoed: “No allegations of fraud or identifiable victims.” Critics, like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, cry foul—”corruption in plain sight”—pointing to cozy ties. Binance funneled a $2 billion investment via the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial stablecoin (USD1), swelling their crypto coffers by $5 billion post-election. Lobbyists with Trump Jr. connections greased the wheels. Yet, for pro-crypto hawks, it’s vindication: Innovation trumps bureaucracy.
Binance Reborn: U.S. Invasion and BNB’s Bull Run
The pardon’s ripple effects? Monumental. CZ, exiled in the UAE, could now reclaim Binance’s helm, steering the world’s largest exchange—handling $2 trillion in monthly volume—back to American shores. No more tiptoeing around Coinbase or Kraken; expect a full-throated U.S. launch, slashing fees and onboarding millions. BNB, the chain’s native token, spiked 3% on the news, trading at $611 amid broader market euphoria. Bitcoin? Hovering near $95K, fueled by Trump’s deregulatory vows.
Binance’s statement nailed it: “CZ’s vision shaped the broader crypto movement… We remain focused on building a secure, transparent platform.” With Web3’s decentralized ethos under siege globally, this pardon signals America’s pivot from foe to fortress. CZ’s mid-air manifesto? A battle cry. “Onwards,” he flexed via emoji—toward a future where crypto isn’t just tolerated, but turbocharged.
The Bigger Bet: Web3’s White House Honeymoon
Trump’s crypto charm offensive isn’t random. The industry dumped $100 million+ into his 2024 war chest, buying promises of clarity over crackdowns. Post-pardon, expect executive orders greenlighting stablecoins, easing SEC shackles, and courting talent. For CZ, it’s personal: From bootstrapping Binance in 2017 with $15 million to global titan, his saga embodies crypto’s wild west ethos. Persecution? Or growing pains? Trump bets the former, betting big on blockchain as economic rocket fuel.
Skeptics warn of moral hazards—pardoning a man whose platform touched Hamas-linked transactions? But in crypto’s meritocracy, results rule. As CZ plots his return, one thing’s clear: The U.S. isn’t just entering the arena; it’s rewriting the rules. Buckle up—America’s crypto capital era has lift-off.
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Nikolai Carter
