CZ Zhao Stays Away From Binance Despite Presidential Pardon

Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) is staying away from the cryptocurrency exchange despite receiving a presidential pardon from former President Donald Trump in October 2025. This decision comes after Zhao served four months of a prison sentence for anti-money laundering violations, and Richard Teng officially took over as CEO of Binance in November 2023. The company has paid out nearly $4 billion in fines related to the case. Zhao himself expressed gratitude for the pardon through social media, emphasizing his focus on writing a book and his future endeavors.