• Changpeng Zhao confirms he will not return to Binance after the US pardon as new leaders continue running operations.
• Binance reports over 300 million users and $34 trillion in annual trading volume showing strong growth after Zhao exit.
• Zhao shifts focus to long term Bitcoin outlook while crypto markets drop and gold breaks above $5000 per ounce.

Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao will not return to the exchange, despite receiving a US presidential pardon last October. The pardon removed restrictions tied to his November 2023 guilty plea over compliance failures. 

Zhao served a four-month prison sentence and accepted a ban from operating Binance. However, he now considers that chapter closed and does not plan to resume leadership duties.

Zhao Confirms Permanent Exit From Binance Leadership

Zhao clarified his position during a recent television interview on January 25. He acknowledged that the pardon cleared legal barriers but said a return would not add value. Moreover, he stressed that stepping aside allowed the company to evolve under new leadership. Binance, he noted, continued operating without disruption after his departure.

Meanwhile, political reaction followed the pardon decision. Several lawmakers questioned the move, while the White House stated the president had no personal relationship with Zhao. Still, the pardon formally ended legal limitations tied to the 2023 case. As a result, Zhao now operates without restrictions but remains outside management.

Binance Growth Continues Under New Leadership

Binance’s performance since Zhao’s exit has remained strong. The company operates under dual leadership from Richard Teng and Yi He. In December, executives reported that Binance surpassed 300 million registered users worldwide. Additionally, the exchange processed roughly $34 trillion in trading volume during the year.

These figures underline Binance’s continued market dominance. Zhao retains his stake in the company but no longer plays an operational role. He maintains a passive position and shares occasional guidance publicly rather than internally. Therefore, Binance’s strategy and daily decisions rest entirely with its current executives.

Zhao Shifts Focus to Long-Term Bitcoin Outlook

Zhao has redirected attention toward broader cryptocurrency trends. He avoids active trading and holds only Bitcoin and BNB. Furthermore, he views long-term market direction as more important than short-term price movement. Regulatory changes, especially in the United States, influence his outlook.

He expects shifting policies to reshape traditional market cycles. Historically, Bitcoin followed a four-year pattern tied to halvings. However, expanding global support for digital assets could alter that structure. Zhao believes a longer cycle may emerge, driven by regulation and institutional adoption.

Crypto Markets Slide as Gold Breaks Records

Market data showed renewed pressure across digital assets. Gold climbed above $5,000 per ounce, widening the gap with cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, Bitcoin fell 1% within 24 hours and is trading near $87,818. The asset remains over 30% below its all-time high.

Ethereum also declined, dropping 1.8% to $2,887 and posting a weekly loss near 10%. Solana slid 3.32% to $122.35. Additionally, the total cryptocurrency market value fell 1.06% to $2.97 trillion, based on CoinMarketCap data.