Grand Theft America / Receipt money-2025-10-23-055
Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao
Trump granted a full pardon to Binance founder Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao, who had pleaded guilty to a Bank Secrecy Act anti-money-laundering violation.
What happened
Zhao pleaded guilty in 2023 to failing to maintain an anti-money-laundering program, paid a $50M personal fine, and served four months in prison in 2024. The pardon came after reporting that Binance helped build the initial code for USD1, the stablecoin issued by the Trump family's World Liberty Financial, and after a UAE firm used USD1 for a $2B investment in Binance in May 2025. No specific dollar figure of Trump-family gain has been established, so no take figure is counted.
Why it matters
Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao after Binance helped build the USD1 stablecoin code and the UAE used USD1 to route a $2B Binance deal benefiting the family venture. Clemency for a figure whose company aided the president's business raises the appearance of pay-to-play.
Receipt details
- Trade the pardons
- No cash figure
