Binance Founder CZ Responds to Trump Pardon With Surprise and Clear Denials of Family Business Ties

The unexpected pardon of Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao by U.S. President Donald Trump has become one of the most discussed events in the crypto world. For many people watching from the outside, the news felt sudden and confusing. CZ had already served a short prison sentence earlier in 2025 for failing to maintain proper anti-money laundering controls at Binance. When Trump announced the pardon, it immediately created questions about influence, fairness, and the relationship between political power and the cryptocurrency industry.

In his first major public remarks since the pardon, CZ said he was genuinely surprised by the decision. He also firmly rejected claims that he had any business relationships with the Trump family or with World Liberty Financial, a crypto project linked to Trump’s sons.

CZ’s legal issues began in 2023 when he pleaded guilty to not having strong enough anti-money laundering procedures at Binance. His plea led to a massive $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. regulators and his decision to step down as CEO. He later served four months in federal custody and was expected to continue facing restrictions even after his release.

The pardon changed that. According to CZ, the process felt unclear and distant. His legal team submitted a request for clemency in April, but he received no updates for months. He said he had no indication of what was happening until he suddenly learned the news like everyone else. Trump later commented that he did not personally know CZ and credited his sons’ enthusiasm for cryptocurrency as part of the broader push to support the industry. The timing of the decision, coming shortly after Trump returned to office, added to the discussion about whether the move represented a wider shift toward more supportive crypto policies.

Much of the attention surrounding the pardon centered on speculation that CZ or Binance had ties to World Liberty Financial, the Trump-associated crypto business. Critics claimed that political or financial relationships might have influenced Trump’s decision. CZ firmly denied these claims during a televised interview. He explained that he had never spoken with Donald Trump, never met him, and had only crossed paths once with Eric Trump at a public event. He was direct in saying he had no connection to the Trump family’s crypto venture and no involvement in any deal that could be seen as an attempt to influence the pardon.

Richard Teng, the current Binance CEO, supported CZ’s explanations by stating that Binance had not promoted or supported any political crypto projects. These statements aimed to counter weeks of speculation about a supposed connection between Binance and World Liberty Financial.

Even though CZ has denied all accusations, some political leaders still have doubts. A few lawmakers pointed to media reports claiming there may have been conversations or financial connections between Binance and projects linked to the Trump family. None of these claims have been proven, but the idea spread quickly because presidential pardons often attract attention especially when they involve well-known individuals.

This skepticism also comes from a long history of controversy. Many U.S. presidents, not just Trump, have been criticized for issuing pardons that appeared to favor wealthy or influential people. In CZ’s situation, the debate shows a bigger issue: the growing tension between the fast-moving crypto industry and regulators who want stricter oversight. For many observers, the reaction isn’t really about CZ himself. It’s more about the political disagreements and uncertainty surrounding digital assets today.

The surprise pardon of CZ has opened a new chapter in the conversation about the relationship between governments and the crypto industry. CZ’s clear denials of any business ties to the Trump family help calm some of the speculation, but the situation also shows how quickly politics can shape public opinion and market expectations. As Binance adjusts to renewed attention and the U.S. government reconsiders its approach to digital assets, everyday investors should expect continued discussion, clearer rules, and a period of change that could reshape the industry’s future.