I’m thinking…. How can you pardon someone you don’t know. If there’s any truth to that, it should have been someone introducing or recommended the pardon to the president. Imagine! US President Donald Trump says he does not know who Changpeng Zhao is, despite pardoning the cryptocurrency multi-billionaire last month, wrote CNN.
According to the information, the president was asked about the pardon during an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes programme, which was broadcast on Sunday. When pressed by the correspondent to explain why he granted clemency to such a high-profile figure, Trump reportedly offered a definitive, almost dismissive, denial, stating he was unfamiliar with the name “Changpeng Zhao” or “CZ,” suggesting the decision was handled by aides or vetted through a standard process he did not personally oversee. This stance immediately raised eyebrows among ethics watchdogs and financial regulators, given the gravity and widespread coverage of Zhao’s case.
Zhao, who is also known as “CZ,” pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering in 2023. He served four months in prison and agreed to step down as the chief executive of Binance, the crypto exchange he co-founded. The conviction was part of an unprecedented settlement where Binance, under Zhao’s leadership, agreed to pay a staggering multi-billion dollar fine to U.S. authorities—one of the largest corporate penalties in financial history—for failing to maintain adequate anti-money laundering (AML) protocols. The plea agreement cemented Zhao’s status as a major regulatory target, accepting responsibility for allowing illicit funds, including money linked to sanctioned entities and criminal organizations, to flow through his platform unchecked for years.
The most compelling detail contradicting Trump’s claim of ignorance lies in the intricate web of business dealings involving Zhao’s associates and Trump-linked entities. His companies have partnered with firms linked to Trump on new digital-currency projects including Dominari Holdings, where his sons sit on the board of advisers and which is based in Trump Tower. This firm is not just a peripheral partner; it serves as a key player in launching new digital asset initiatives. The fact that Dominari is located literally within the iconic Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, and CZ’s family sphere of influence is directly involved in advisory roles, suggests high-level strategic planning was occurring floors away from Trump’s own headquarters. This physical and familial proximity makes the claim of total unfamiliarity difficult to sustain and raises serious political questions about potential influence peddling or undisclosed quid pro quo arrangements preceding the controversial pardon.
