By Editorial Desk | CoinEpigraph
In a move that stunned Washington and electrified the crypto world, President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the former Binance CEO once convicted of money-laundering violations.
The announcement—delivered from the White House press podium—landed like a thunderclap across financial and digital markets. It wasn’t just a pardon; it was a proclamation that the U.S. crypto crackdown is officially over.
From Exile to Embrace
CZ’s fall from grace began in 2023 when he pled guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act. Binance, his exchange empire, agreed to pay a staggering $4.3 billion settlement while Zhao served a short prison term. Regulators at the time hailed it as a watershed moment for accountability in crypto.
Two years later, the same man has been absolved—and perhaps reborn—by presidential penstroke. The White House called it a “forward-looking step toward restoring American leadership in digital innovation.” To many, it sounded like open season for a new crypto bull run.
Crypto Cheers, Critics Fume
Within hours of the pardon, markets moved decisively: Bitcoin was trading around $110,000 — continuing a run that has kept it above the six-figure mark for over a year — and Binance’s native token, BNB, rallied on the news. Crypto Twitter erupted with memes hailing Trump as the “Crypto King.”
But the celebration wasn’t universal. Policy analysts warn that Trump’s move erodes hard-won credibility on anti-money-laundering enforcement. “This could roll back years of regulatory progress,” one former Treasury official told CoinEpigraph. “It tells the world that compliance doesn’t matter if politics is on your side.”
The Optics and the Opportunity
Adding intrigue, reports surfaced that Binance had previously partnered with World Liberty Financial, a Trump-linked crypto startup. The White House hasn’t addressed those ties, leaving room for speculation—and plenty of political theater.
Still, few can deny the symbolism. Trump’s pardon doesn’t just free one man; it signals that the U.S. is re-entering the global crypto arena with swagger. For traders, exchanges, and investors, it’s a green light with a hint of danger.
Bottom Line
Whether history remembers this moment as visionary or reckless, one thing is clear:
Crypto just got its comeback moment—from the Oval Office itself.
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