{"id":17812,"date":"2025-11-09T02:53:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T01:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wsj-crypto.com\/?p=17812"},"modified":"2025-11-09T02:53:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T01:53:37","slug":"cz-denies-pardon-claims-emphasizes-lack-of-personal-connection-with-trump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wsj-crypto.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/09\/cz-denies-pardon-claims-emphasizes-lack-of-personal-connection-with-trump\/","title":{"rendered":"CZ Denies Pardon Claims, Emphasizes Lack of Personal Connection with Trump"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Binance co-founder CZ expressed that he was somewhat astonished at obtaining a pardon from United States President Donald Trump and refuted having a business connection with the Trump family during an interview on Friday.<\/p>\n

CZ stated<\/a> to Fox News that he never physically encountered or spoke with Trump before or after receiving a presidential pardon<\/a> in October, and only met Trump\u2019s son Eric once at the Bitcoin Middle East and North Africa conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no business association between myself, Binance, and World Liberty Finance,\u201d CZ remarked. He noted that he was unaware of the status of his pardon throughout the procedure:<\/p>\n

\u201cI was not informed when or if it would occur. I believe my attorneys filed the petition in April, and it took several months. I wasn\u2019t aware of the progress. There were no indications of how far it advanced, etc. Then, it materialized one day.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Binance co-founder CZ counters assertions that his pardon was financially driven. Source: <\/em>Fox News<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The pardon elicited mixed responses, with the crypto community regarding it as a victory for the industry and a reversal of the anti-crypto stance by the Biden administration, while Democratic lawmakers criticized the pardon<\/a>, accusing Trump of political misconduct.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong><\/em>How Changpeng Zhao regained authority between incarceration and pardon<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

CZ pardon ignites debate and allegations of pay-to-play schemes<\/h2>\n

During a press conference following the pardon, Trump remarked<\/a> that he is not personally acquainted with CZ<\/a>, but was advised that the case against him was politically driven<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had a significant amount of support, and they indicated that what he did is not even considered a crime, it wasn\u2019t a crime. He was targeted by the Biden administration,\u201d Trump stated.<\/p>\n

Democratic Representative Maxine Waters accused Trump of entering into a \u201cpay-to-play\u201d deal<\/a>, granting CZ a pardon in return for crypto investments into ventures and platforms linked to the Trump family, including World Liberty Financial (WLFI).<\/p>\n

\"Changpeng
A letter from Democratic lawmakers examining the pardon. Source: <\/em>US Senate<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The accusations also prompted several Democratic lawmakers, including Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren and Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, to compose an open letter<\/a> to attorney general Pam Bondi, questioning Trump and the pardon.<\/p>\n

Magazine: <\/strong><\/em>Financial nihilism in crypto is finished \u2014 It\u2019s time to aspire big again<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n