Binance founder Zhao Changpeng confirms application for Trump pardon

according to Cointelegraph, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao confirmed in a recent podcast that his legal team has submitted a pardon application to U.S. President Trump on his behalf. Previously, Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal reported on Zhao's pursuit of a pardon, which he denied at the time. Zhao stated that part of the reason for seeking a pardon was inspired by Trump's earlier pardon of the BitMEX founders.

Last November, Zhao pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, paid a $50 million fine, and was sentenced to 4 months in prison. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, even if a pardon is granted, it will not eliminate his money laundering charges but may allow him to resume a management position at Binance.US.