CZ Zhao Not Returning to Binance After Presidential Pardon

TLDR

• Zhao served four months for anti-money laundering violations.
• Richard Teng is the new CEO of Binance since November 2023.
• Binance paid over $4 billion in forfeitures related to Zhao’s case.

Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the co-founder and former CEO of Binance, is not returning to Binance following his pardon by former President Donald Trump. Despite market speculation, Zhao has not announced any plans to rejoin the company as CEO or in any other operational role, according to verified statements and official communications from Binance.

Zhao stepped down from his position after pleading guilty to anti-money laundering violations in 2023. He served a four-month prison sentence in 2024. Richard Teng succeeded Zhao as CEO of Binance in November 2023. President Trump issued a pardon to Zhao in October 2025.

Official Statements and Reactions

Zhao expressed his gratitude for the presidential pardon through a social media statement. In a message, he conveyed his appreciation to President Trump for his commitment to fairness and innovation, while also mentioning his upcoming book release.

Richard Teng, the current CEO of Binance, acknowledged Zhao’s foundational role in the development of the cryptocurrency exchange through his belief in crypto and user empowerment. Meanwhile, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that President Trump used his constitutional authority, referring to Zhao’s prosecution by the previous administration.

Financial and Operational Implications

Binance previously paid over $4 billion in forfeitures as part of a plea arrangement, and Zhao paid a $50 million personal fine. No new institutional funding or grants have been announced following Zhao’s pardon. Additionally, there are no plans or announcements regarding any change in Zhao’s role at Binance.

Regarding affected assets, Binance remains a principal venue for trading BTC, ETH, BNB, and a broad range of altcoins. No announcements have been made concerning changes to token listings or pools post-pardon.

On-chain Data and Market Reactions

To date, there has been no official data from Binance or blockchain analytics channels indicating real-time Total Value Locked (TVL) shifts or significant liquidity changes correlated with the news of the pardon or speculation about Zhao’s return.

Although executive issues at major exchanges have historically affected exchange native tokens temporarily, long-term trading volumes tend to stabilize when the platform maintains operational continuity.

Current Focus: Changpeng Zhao’s Public Statements

At present, public attention from Zhao centers on his upcoming book rather than reassuming a position at Binance. Betting platforms such as Polymarket reflect fluctuating but non-majority odds for his return, with no communication from Binance confirming any change in operational roles.

Zhao remains a pivotal figure in the crypto space, with a public profile that continues to influence market sentiments, especially surrounding Binance Coin (BNB) and broader market assets like BTC and ETH.