Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance, has publicly denied any agreement between Binance US and former President Donald Trump. At the same time, CZ criticized The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) for publishing misleading information.
As previously reported by Allinstation, WSJ had claimed that representatives of Trump’s family had engaged in negotiations to acquire financial stakes in Binance’s U.S. branch (Binance US). If the deal were successful, Trump’s family would have a direct business connection with the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange—a company that has faced serious legal issues.
On platform X, CZ emphasized:
"Sorry if this disappoints anyone, but WSJ’s article is completely false. Over 20 people have told me that WSJ and some other media outlets asked them: ‘Can you confirm that CZ made a deal for a pardon?’
They might have contacted hundreds of people just to find 20 who have spoken to me. In reality, they are deliberately fabricating a story for publication.
The truth is: I have never discussed any deal related to Binance US or with anyone else.
No one guilty of a crime would refuse a pardon, especially when I am the first person in U.S. history to be sentenced to prison over a single violation of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).
This article seems to target the President, cryptocurrency, and anti-crypto forces from the previous administration that still have influence.
I have always supported the development of cryptocurrency, both in the U.S. and globally. Even WSJ thinks I should be pardoned—how interesting."
CZ’s statement directly contradicts WSJ’s report, which implied that Binance US could be involved in political agreements. According to Zhao, this is an effort to fabricate information, and there have never been any negotiations with Trump or his associates.
Read more: Trump family is in talks to acquire shares in Binance US.