Senator Elizabeth Warren’s legal team has refuted Binance founder Changpeng Zhao’s defamation claim, asserting his accusations are baseless and intended to silence a public official. This follows Warren’s criticism of Zhao’s presidential pardon following his guilty plea for criminal violations related to anti-money laundering laws. 5 days after the incident, Zhao’s legal team demanded a retraction but faced immediate pushback from Warren’s team, who argue that her statement was accurate and protected under free speech rights. A deeper dive into the clash highlights the widening disconnect between Washington lawmakers and the cryptocurrency industry and its regulatory landscape.