Binance Co-Founder CZ Speaks Out on Presidential Pardon and Trump Family Ties
Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ, expressed surprise at being granted a presidential pardon by US President Donald Trump, while denying any business relationship with the Trump family. In a recent interview with Fox News, CZ clarified that he had never met or spoken with Trump in person, either before or after the pardon, and had only met Trump’s son Eric once at a conference in Abu Dhabi.
CZ emphasized that there is no business connection between himself, Binance, and World Liberty Finance, a company linked to the Trump family. He also stated that he was unaware of the status of his pardon during the trial, saying, “I didn’t know when or if it was going to happen. I think my lawyers filed the petition in April and it took a few months. I didn’t know the progress. There was no indication of how far along it was, etc. Then one day it happened.”
The pardon has sparked mixed reactions, with the crypto community hailing it as a victory for the industry and a reversal of the Biden administration’s anti-crypto policies. However, Democratic lawmakers have criticized the pardon, accusing Trump of political corruption and suggesting that it was a “pay-to-play” agreement in exchange for crypto investments in projects linked to the Trump family.
Controversy Surrounding the Pardon
Trump stated in a press conference that he did not know CZ personally but was told that the case against him was politically motivated, saying, “He had a lot of support and they said that what he did wasn’t even a crime, it wasn’t a crime. He was prosecuted by the Biden administration.” However, Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters accused Trump of entering into a “pay-to-play” agreement, prompting several Democratic lawmakers to pen an open letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, calling for an investigation into the matter.
The controversy surrounding the pardon has raised questions about the relationship between the crypto industry and politics. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential to ensure that regulatory decisions are made with transparency and integrity. For more information on this story, visit Cointelegraph.
