Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao expressed openness to receiving a pardon from President-elect Donald Trump in a post on December 2. Zhao, who stepped down in November 2023 after pleading guilty to money laundering and serving a four-month prison sentence, stated he has no desire to return as CEO but would welcome a pardon.
His comments followed a public appeal from John Lilic of the Telos protocol, who urged Trump to consider pardoning Zhao to enable his return to Binance and foster growth in the crypto sector. Lilic emphasized that Zhao could help mature the industry and that he is a victim of legal challenges.
Support for Zhao's pardon has also come from notable figures like Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson. Observers speculate that Trump's pro-crypto stance may influence his decision, although no official statement has been made yet.
Previously, Trump showed interest in commuting the sentence of Ross Ulbricht, the controversial founder of the Silk Road marketplace, reflecting his engagement with crypto-related legal issues.