Changpeng Zhao: Difference between revisions
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'''Changpeng Zhao''' (born 1977) is | '''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.<ref name="ReutersPardon">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/</ref> | ||
== Early life and career == | == 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.<ref name="Wiki">Wikipedia. “Changpeng Zhao.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changpeng_Zhao</ref> He developed trading-software platforms and in 2017 co-founded Binance, which rapidly | Zhao was born in Lianyungang, China, and early in his career emigrated to Canada where he studied computer science at McGill University.<ref name="Wiki">Wikipedia. “Changpeng Zhao.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changpeng_Zhao</ref> 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 == | == 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.<ref name=" | 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.<ref name="DOJcase">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</ref> In April 2024 he was sentenced to four months in prison. <ref name="turn0news9">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</ref> | ||
== Incarceration and prison experience == | == Incarceration and prison experience == | ||
Zhao served | 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="turn0search11">Wikipedia. “Federal Correctional Institution, Lompoc I.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Correctional_Institution%2C_Lompoc_I</ref><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 == | ||
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.”<ref name="PeoplePardon">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/</ref> The pardon has reignited his ability to engage in business and raised questions about the implications of | 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.”<ref name="PeoplePardon">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/</ref> The pardon has reignited his ability to engage in business and raised questions about the implications of high-profile financial clemency. <ref name="turn0news12">Politico. “Trump pardons crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao.” October 23, 2025. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/23/trump-pardons-changpeng-zhao-00620175/</ref> | ||
== Notable associates and related cases == | == Notable associates and related cases == | ||
* Binance – the cryptocurrency exchange Zhao founded and stepped down from after the guilty plea | * Binance – the cryptocurrency exchange Zhao founded and stepped down from after the guilty plea. | ||
* World Liberty Financial – | * World Liberty Financial – Trump-family-affiliated crypto venture discussed in relation to Zhao’s pardon. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Revision as of 03:43, 17 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][6]
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.”[7] The pardon has reignited his ability to engage in business and raised questions about the implications of high-profile financial clemency. [8]
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/
- ↑ Wikipedia. “Changpeng Zhao.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changpeng_Zhao
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Wikipedia. “Federal Correctional Institution, Lompoc I.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Correctional_Institution%2C_Lompoc_I
- ↑ 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/