Binance founder and convicted Felon Changpeng Zhao said he applied for a forgiveness from US president Donald Trump after a denial of reports he was looking for one.
Zhao, also known as CZ, was told in a Farokh Radio Podcast episode released May 6 that he “did not think” a forgiveness and that his lawyers had already filed a paperwork for his behalf
“I got lawyers applying,” said Zhao, adding that he submitted the request after Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal reported that he was looking for a forgiveness from Trump amid discussions of a business deal between the Trump and Binance.US family.
Zhao denied the reports at that time, but told the podcast he thought “if they write this article, I can officially apply.”
He added that Trump's forgiveness of three Bitmex founders, along with Arthur Hayes, also prompted him to submit an application.
Zhao said the application was submitted about two weeks ago.
Zhao said at the time of the Bloomberg and Wall Street Journal reporting that “no felon would think of a forgiveness,” and claimed that he was the only person in US history to serve in prison time for a Secrecy Act charge.
Zhao apologized at a money laundering charge in November 2023 as part of a Binance of the deal reached to US authorities, seeing it paying a $ 4.3 billion fine, where Zhao contributed $ 50 million. He was also forced to go down as CEO.
Zhao was later punished for four months in prison and was forbidden to work in Binance as part of his request.
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According to In the U.S. Department of Justice, a forgiveness will not erase Zhao's money; However, this may allow him to think of a management or role in operation in Binance.us.
Zhao had no plans to return as Binance's CEO
While Zhao remains a shareholder of Binance, he Says In November on Binance Blockchain Week he had “no plans to return to the CEO's position.”
“I feel like the team is doing well and you don't need me,” Zhao said.
Since leaving prison, Zhao has begun counseling duties in Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, helping matters related to crypto regulation and implementing blockchain solutions.
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