Quick Highlights
- CZ (Changpeng Zhao) has officially applied for a U.S. presidential pardon.
- He denied allegations of offering Trump family Binance.US stake.
- CZ praised Trump’s business-style diplomacy and pro-crypto attitude.
- Despite legal issues, CZ says he won’t return as Binance CEO.
- He predicts a $5 trillion crypto market cap by year-end and Bitcoin hitting $500K–$1M.
- Warns against overhyped memecoins lacking long-term value.
CZ Confirms U.S. Pardon Request
In a May 5 appearance on Rug Radio with Farokh Sarmad, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao revealed that he has officially applied for a U.S. presidential pardon.
Zhao explained, “My legal team submitted the application two weeks ago,” noting that the move came after widespread media speculation triggered by Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal.
Denies Trump Deal Allegations
Zhao strongly refuted claims reported by the Wall Street Journal, which suggested that the Trump family sought a stake in Binance.US in exchange for a pardon. On X, he stated:
“I have never met the Trump family. The reports are false, fabricated, and politically motivated.”
He also clarified that Binance, as a foreign company, is legally barred from contributing to U.S. political campaigns.
CZ Backs Trump’s Diplomatic Style
Despite rejecting the alleged pardon-deal narrative, CZ didn’t hold back from praising Donald Trump’s leadership. He remarked:
“Trump’s diplomacy is business-like, based on leverage and deal-making — not traditional political posturing.”
He further expressed support for Trump’s crypto-positive stance, a topic that resonates deeply within the digital asset community.
No Plans to Return as CEO
While CZ remains the majority shareholder of Binance.US, he confirmed he has no intention of resuming his role as CEO, stating that the exchange is running smoothly without him.
$5T Crypto Market? CZ Thinks It’s Coming
Zhao closed out the interview with a bold prediction: the global crypto market cap could soar to $5 trillion by the end of 2025, with Bitcoin reaching $500,000 to $1 million.
Still, he urged caution around memecoins, noting they attract “too much attention despite offering little long-term value.”
Final Thoughts:
CZ’s public pardon request, combined with his vocal support for Trump’s crypto policies and bullish market forecasts, underscores his ongoing influence in the crypto world—even as he steps back from leadership.