Changpeng Zhao: Difference between revisions
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== Incarceration and prison experience == | == Incarceration and prison experience == | ||
Zhao served his term at [[FPC_Lompoc_I_(low-security)|FPC Lompoc I]] in California, beginning mid-2024 and was released by September 27, 2024. | Zhao served his term at [[FPC_Lompoc_I_(low-security)|FPC Lompoc I]] in California, beginning mid-2024 and was released by September 27, 2024. <ref name="turn0search3">Reuters. “Binance founder Zhao released from US custody.” September 27, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/technology/binance-founder-zhao-released-us-custody-bloomberg-news-reports-2024-09-27/</ref> | ||
== Life after release == | == Life after release == | ||
Revision as of 18:37, 21 November 2025
Changpeng Zhao (born 1977) is a Canadian-UAE-French citizen and the founder of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. In November 2023 he pleaded guilty to one count of failing to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering program, and in April 2024 he was sentenced to four months in prison and ordered to pay a US$50 million fine. On October 23, 2025, he received a full and unconditional presidential pardon from Donald Trump.[1]
Early life and career
Zhao was born in Lianyungang, China, and early in his career emigrated to Canada where he studied computer science at McGill University.[2] He developed trading-software platforms and in 2017 co-founded Binance, which rapidly became the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume. Under his leadership the company expanded globally, offering a wide range of digital asset products and services.
Federal offense and prosecution
In late 2023 Binance and Zhao faced charges by U.S. authorities for serious anti-money-laundering compliance failures. The exchange agreed to a US$4.3 billion settlement and Zhao personally pled guilty to one count of failing to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering program.[3] In April 2024 he was sentenced to four months in prison. [4]
Incarceration and prison experience
Zhao served his term at FPC Lompoc I in California, beginning mid-2024 and was released by September 27, 2024. [5]
Life after release
Following his release and subsequent pardon, Zhao expressed deep gratitude, stating he would “do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto.”[6] The pardon has reignited his ability to engage in business and raised questions about the implications of high-profile financial clemency. [7]
Notable associates and related cases
- Binance – the cryptocurrency exchange Zhao founded and stepped down from after the guilty plea.
- World Liberty Financial – Trump-family-affiliated crypto venture discussed in relation to Zhao’s pardon.
References
- ↑ Reuters. “Trump pardons convicted Binance founder ’CZ’ Zhao.” October 23, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-pardons-convicted-binance-founder-zhao-white-house-says-2025-10-23/
- ↑ U.S. Department of Justice, "Binance and CEO Plead Guilty to Federal Charges in B Resolution," November 21, 2023, https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/binance-and-ceo-plead-guilty-federal-charges-4b-resolution.
- ↑ U.S. Department of Justice. “Binance and CEO Plead Guilty to Federal Charges in $4 B Resolution.” November 21, 2023. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/binance-and-ceo-plead-guilty-federal-charges-4b-resolution
- ↑ Associated Press. “Binance founder Changpeng Zhao sentenced to 4 months in prison for allowing money-laundering.” April 30, 2024. https://www.apnews.com/article/cf81925ff9b4b65e27f80f906a6a63ae
- ↑ Reuters. “Binance founder Zhao released from US custody.” September 27, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/technology/binance-founder-zhao-released-us-custody-bloomberg-news-reports-2024-09-27/
- ↑ People. “Trump pardons Changpeng Zhao: Binance founder says he’s ‘deeply grateful’.” October 23, 2025. https://www.people.com/trump-pardons-changpeng-zhao-binance-crypto-11835806/
- ↑ Politico. “Trump pardons crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao.” October 23, 2025. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/23/trump-pardons-changpeng-zhao-00620175/