Binance founder Changpeng Zhao confirmed his intention to reinvest any money returned from previously paid regulatory penalties in the United States, citing gratitude as motivation following a recent presidential pardon. This statement came in response to a question by Intergovernmental Blockchain Advisor Andy Lian regarding the approximately $4.3 billion in fines Binance paid as part of its 2023 settlement with U.S. authorities for violations related to anti-money laundering. Zhao stated that, if a refund is approved, he plans to use the funds for domestic investment as a gesture of appreciation. He further clarified that he had not formally requested a refund but expressed existing gratitude over the presidential pardon. This statement comes amidst a notable enforcement action in the digital asset industry, where Binance agreed to pay billions in fines for failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program. The company’s founder then served a four-month prison sentence before being released earlier this year. Zhao’s actions follow a high-profile pardon from former President Donald Trump on October 23rd. The pardon, a significant development in the digital assets industry, garnered wide attention due to the scale of the original settlement and its symbolic meaning for a prominent figure within the sector.