According to Binance Founder, Changpeng Zhao, CZ, rumors that he influenced his Trump pardon are false. CZ made this stance known during a recent interview. He stated that he had no agreement pertaining to the pardon with the sons of the U.S. president or the World Liberty Financial. The latter is linked with the Trump family.
The interview with Fox News followed widespread speculation suggesting that Binance may have sought influence to secure clemency. CZ called those claims “completely false.” He also said that he never had any personal or professional relationship with President Trump or his sons.
“I have never met President Trump. I have never spoken to him. I don’t have any business with his sons,” CZ said.
He explained that his legal team filed the pardon petition months before the Trump pardon was granted. He further said that he had no communication about the process.
Earlier, President Trump stated that fairness and not influence was the reason for pardoning CZ. The president further clarified that he had no personal relationship with CZ. However, he considered the previous actions against the Binance founder as excessive.
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The president recently proclaimed that he had ended the war on crypto, which was started by the Biden administration. He also stated that he aims to make the United States the Bitcoin superpower of the world.
CZ applauded the pro-crypto attitude of the current administration. He believes that it is a big positive change to the digital asset industry. CZ added that clearer regulations that follow the new Genius Act were more welcome. Such regulations give the right framework to crypto companies operating in the U.S.
“The more clarity we have, the better,” he said. “Now the U.S. leads the world in crypto regulations.”
CZ also discussed his past legal case with the Department of Justice. He previously pled guilty to violating U.S. anti-money-laundering laws and served a brief sentence.
The Binance founder said that after the Trump pardon, his focus is on rebuilding trust and contributing to crypto innovation. “That’s the last chapter of my book,” he said. “I’m grateful to President Trump and ready to make a positive impact.”
The Binance founder ended by reaffirming that neither he nor his company had any ties to World Liberty Financial. “There’s no deal, no discussions, no relationship,” he stated.
CZ also said that the Trump pardon allows him to move forward. In addition, he can help position America as the global leader in crypto.
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