Trump Pardons Crypto King CZ: A Tale of Cash, Chains, and Chaotic Goodwill 🧵💸

In November 2023, CZ proudly admitted in court that Binance’s anti-money laundering program was more of a suggestion than a policy. This was part of a $4.3 billion settlement with the DOJ, which is basically the crypto version of “Oops, we accidentally funded global crime.” Prosecutors claimed Binance helped Hamas, ISIS, and people who sell drugs on the dark web. Oh, and they let users from countries with names like “North Korea” and “Iran” log in. Classic. 🎩

Trump Pardons CZ: Crypto’s Wild Ride Gets a Political Boost 🚀

Binance’s press release, penned with the fervor of a revolutionary manifesto, hailed Trump as a crypto messiah. Inside the company’s lair, joy surged like spring floods-though one wonders if euphoria stems from CZ’s cleared name or the hope that regulators might finally lower their gavel. After all, who doesn’t crave a reprieve from the tyranny of compliance? 🧨

Trump Pardons Crypto King… Or Did He?

According to the Wall Street Journal report, Trump signed the pardon on Wednesday for Changpeng Zhao, the convicted founder of Binance, after expressing sympathy toward claims of political persecution against Zhao and others targeted by the Biden administration. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump “exercised his constitutional authority” and declared that “the Biden Administration’s war on crypto is over.” The decision could pave the way for Binance’s return to the U.S. market after it pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating anti-money-laundering laws and was banned from operating domestically. Zhao, who served four months in prison before his release in September 2024, had reportedly enlisted lobbyist Ches McDowell earlier this year to aid in securing clemency. Binance did not immediately respond to requests for comment, the Journal reported.