Financial and Business News

Trump Grants Presidential Pardon to Changpeng Zhao: Will He Return to Binance?

Thursday, 23/10/2025 | 16:02 GMT by Tareq Sikder
  • Zhao stepped down after $4.3 billion Binance settlement with US authorities.
  • Earlier pardons include BitMEX founders, Nikola founder, and Ozy Media executive.
Crypto-king - Edited
Changpeng Zhao (Source: PC Tech Mag)

US President Donald Trump has granted a pardon to Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, a White House official confirmed today (Thursday), Reuters reported.

The pardon allows Zhao to return to the business he created. He has served a four-month prison sentence as ordered by a US judge. It remains unclear whether Zhao will actually return to Binance or take a different path in the crypto industry.

Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump had "exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency."

Binance Ends Multi-Year Misconduct Investigation

Zhao, who founded Binance in 2017, previously stepped down as chief executive when the company reached a $4.3 billion settlement with US authorities. The settlement concluded a multi-year investigation into alleged misconduct at Binance, then the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.

Executives Receive Pardons Under Trump Administration

This decision is part of a broader pattern of pardons issued by Trump to executives convicted of crimes. Earlier in 2025, he pardoned the founders of crypto exchange BitMEX over anti-money laundering violations and the founder of Nikola, who had been convicted of fraud. He also commuted the sentence of a former executive of the now-defunct media company Ozy Media.

Binance in Talks with Trump Family Crypto Venture

Binance is reportedly in discussions to list a dollar-pegged stablecoin linked to the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial venture. Representatives of the exchange have also met with US Treasury officials to discuss oversight matters.

While neither Binance nor Zhao have confirmed any business deal, earlier reports indicated that Trump family representatives explored acquiring a stake in Binance.US. Key figures in World Liberty Financial include Donald Trump and his sons, who hold advisory and promotional roles in the project.

US President Donald Trump has granted a pardon to Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, a White House official confirmed today (Thursday), Reuters reported.

The pardon allows Zhao to return to the business he created. He has served a four-month prison sentence as ordered by a US judge. It remains unclear whether Zhao will actually return to Binance or take a different path in the crypto industry.

Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump had "exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency."

Binance Ends Multi-Year Misconduct Investigation

Zhao, who founded Binance in 2017, previously stepped down as chief executive when the company reached a $4.3 billion settlement with US authorities. The settlement concluded a multi-year investigation into alleged misconduct at Binance, then the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.

Executives Receive Pardons Under Trump Administration

This decision is part of a broader pattern of pardons issued by Trump to executives convicted of crimes. Earlier in 2025, he pardoned the founders of crypto exchange BitMEX over anti-money laundering violations and the founder of Nikola, who had been convicted of fraud. He also commuted the sentence of a former executive of the now-defunct media company Ozy Media.

Binance in Talks with Trump Family Crypto Venture

Binance is reportedly in discussions to list a dollar-pegged stablecoin linked to the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial venture. Representatives of the exchange have also met with US Treasury officials to discuss oversight matters.

While neither Binance nor Zhao have confirmed any business deal, earlier reports indicated that Trump family representatives explored acquiring a stake in Binance.US. Key figures in World Liberty Financial include Donald Trump and his sons, who hold advisory and promotional roles in the project.

Topics
crypto
binance
trump
donald trump
About the Author: Tareq Sikder
Tareq Sikder
  • 1999 Articles
  • 34 Followers
A Forex technical analyst and writer who has been engaged in financial writing for 12 years.

More from the Author

Trending

Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25

Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25

Interview with Jas Shah Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity. We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market. We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance. To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.

Interview with Jas Shah Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity. We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market. We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance. To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
More Videos

  • Vitalii Bulynin Talks About Versus Trade, New Pairs, and Big Plans

    Vitalii Bulynin Talks About Versus Trade, New Pairs, and Big Plans

    In this interview, Versus Trade Co-Founder Vitalii Bulynin explains how the company got its license fast, why its trading pairs are fresh and fun, and what the team will build next. He also discusses the most active pairs, the IB and MIB plans, and hiring needs for new markets. Watch the whole talk to learn more about how Versus Trade works and where it is heading. #financemagnates #VersusTrade #TradingPairs #BTCvsGold #goldtrading #innovation

    In this interview, Versus Trade Co-Founder Vitalii Bulynin explains how the company got its license fast, why its trading pairs are fresh and fun, and what the team will build next. He also discusses the most active pairs, the IB and MIB plans, and hiring needs for new markets. Watch the whole talk to learn more about how Versus Trade works and where it is heading. #financemagnates #VersusTrade #TradingPairs #BTCvsGold #goldtrading #innovation

  • Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI

    Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI

    As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly. Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them. Attendees of this session will walk away with: - A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos - Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour - First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour - Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing Speakers: -Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates -Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X -Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO -Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive -Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance -Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications #fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation Connect with us at: 🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events 👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents 📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official 🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events 🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official

    As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly. Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them. Attendees of this session will walk away with: - A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos - Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour - First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour - Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing Speakers: -Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates -Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X -Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO -Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive -Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance -Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications #fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation Connect with us at: 🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events 👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents 📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official 🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events 🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official

  • Fail Better Trading Tech to Tackle Industry Risks

    Fail Better Trading Tech to Tackle Industry Risks

    Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy. This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions. Attendees will hear: -Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business? -Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’? -How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next? -Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention? Speakers: -Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT -John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue -Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets -Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i -Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group #fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation Connect with us at: 🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events 👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents 📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official 🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events 🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official

    Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy. This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions. Attendees will hear: -Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business? -Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’? -How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next? -Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention? Speakers: -Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT -John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue -Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets -Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i -Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group #fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation Connect with us at: 🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events 👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents 📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official 🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events 🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official

  • Educators, IBs, And Other Regional Growth Drivers

    Educators, IBs, And Other Regional Growth Drivers

    When acquisition costs rise and AI generated reviews are exactly as useful as they sound, performing and fair partners can make or break brokers. This session looks at how these players are shaping access, trust and user engagement, and what the most effective partnership models look like in 2025. Key Themes: - Building trader communities through education and local expertise - Aligning broker incentives with long-term regional strategies - Regional regulation and the realities of compliant acquisition - What’s next for performance-driven partnerships in online trading Speakers: -Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive -Zander Van Der Merwe, Key Individual & Head of Sales at TD Markets -Brunno Huertas, Regional Manager – Latin America at Tickmill -Paul Chalmers, CEO at UK Trading Academy #fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #BrokerGrowth #FintechPartnerships #RegionalMarkets Connect with us at: 🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events 👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents 📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official 🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events 🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official

    When acquisition costs rise and AI generated reviews are exactly as useful as they sound, performing and fair partners can make or break brokers. This session looks at how these players are shaping access, trust and user engagement, and what the most effective partnership models look like in 2025. Key Themes: - Building trader communities through education and local expertise - Aligning broker incentives with long-term regional strategies - Regional regulation and the realities of compliant acquisition - What’s next for performance-driven partnerships in online trading Speakers: -Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive -Zander Van Der Merwe, Key Individual & Head of Sales at TD Markets -Brunno Huertas, Regional Manager – Latin America at Tickmill -Paul Chalmers, CEO at UK Trading Academy #fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #BrokerGrowth #FintechPartnerships #RegionalMarkets Connect with us at: 🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events 👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents 📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official 🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events 🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official