Binance founder says he was ‘a little bit surprised’ by Trump pardon in first interview since clemency

Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the billionaire founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, said he was “surprised” by President Trump’s decision to pardon him, in his first interview since being granted clemency. 

Zhao was pardoned on Oct. 23 after having served four months in prison last year for failing to maintain anti–money-laundering controls at Binance, in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, a charge he pleaded guilty to. 

“You never know if it’s going to happen, or when it’s going to happen, so I was a little bit surprised,” the crypto mogul told Fox News “Special Report” host Bret Baier on Friday. 

Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the billionaire founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, was “surprised” that President Trump pardoned him on Oct. 23. REUTERS

The Post reported on Oct. 12 that the White House had ramped up internal debate over whether to pardon Zhao, who had been lobbying to erase his felony conviction and reopen the door to his company’s return to the US market. Some officials expressed concern over the optics of potential ties between Zhao’s business ventures and the Trump family’s crypto business. 

The Wall Street Journal reported that Zhao’s representatives discussed the possibility of “a deal” between Binance and World Liberty Financial, the Trump family’s cryptocurrency venture, that could be used as “leverage” for a pardon. 

Zhao denied the allegation. 

“That’s completely not accurate,” he said. “There’s no deal. There’s no – there has never been any discussions.”

Zhao was granted clemency after serving four months in prison and told Fox News “Special Report” host Bret Baier on Friday, “You never know if it’s going to happen, or when it’s going to happen, so I was a little bit surprised.”

“It’s as simple as that.” 

“There’s no business relationships between me, Binance and World Liberty Financial,” Zhao continued, calling the Wall Street Journal’s reporting “categorically false.” 

Zhao noted that he has never met with or spoken to the president, but is “super grateful” for the pardon. 

“I want to help America become the capital of crypto,” he added. 

In response to Zhao’s comments, the Wall Street Journal said it stood by its reporting, according to Baier.