Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, is expected to be released from a US prison on 29 September 2024. Zhao, also known as CZ, was convicted earlier this year for breaching the US anti-money laundering laws.
Zhao’s arrest was following increased regulatory pressure towards Binance, one of the biggest global crypto exchanges. The authorities have been enforcing the financial laws to make sure that exchanges are following the laws strictly.
Zhao’s new release comes with some doubts as to the role he’d play in the industry in the future. Especially since he is barred for life from managing Binance.
Background of Zhao’s Legal Troubles
Zhao’s troubles with the law started in the late 2023 when the U.S authorities accused him of money laundering and facilitating transactions with the sanctioned countries. The charges were a part of a more extensive probe into the activities of Binance including non-compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act.
Consequently, Binance was able to suffer a $4.3 billion penalty, while Zhao personally paid a $50 million fine. Zhao’s initial sentence was three years. However, it was later lowered to four months owing to the plea bargain made with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Judge Richard Jones argued that Zhao’s good character and the absence of direct knowledge of the violations should be considered as mitigation factors. He was also banned from serving as a director or officer of Binance for life.
That said, he still owns the biggest stake in the company. However, Binance has not ceased its operations, and BNB token value has been influenced by Zhao’s legal issues.
Impact on Binance and the Crypto Market
Zhao’s release could have a ripple effect on Binance as the exchange has been grappling with legal issues across different jurisdictions. Despite the absence of Zhao, the exchange is considered one of the largest exchanges by trading volume and it further develops its services. In the past few weeks, Binance added new tokens to its platform, including Neiro, Turbo, and Baby DogeCoin, which shows that the exchange is still expanding even though it faces issues with the regulators.
Nevertheless, Zhao’s exit has raised questions on the stability and the future of the exchange. Current CEO Richard Teng has said that Zhao will not return to managing Binance’s operations on a day-to-day basis, dispelling earlier rumors that Zhao had been suspended for a certain period of time. Teng also pointed out that Zhao still has his shareholder rights to name board members, which means that he still has a certain degree of power.
BNB/USD1-day price chart (source: CoinMarketCap)
The crypto community is watching Binance’s next steps closely, as Zhao’s influence has always provided stability to the exchange. According to market analysts, his release might be beneficial for Binance’s BNB token. It has already jumped by 5% in the past week.
Zhao’s Future Plans and Potential Ventures
As for Zhao’s further activities in the crypto sphere, it is still vague, given the legal problems he faces. However, he has mentioned exploring other projects apart from Binance. Earlier this year, he started the Giggle Academy, an educational platform that offers free learning materials for children in need.
This new venture shows his desire to create something more sustainable than the world of cryptocurrencies known for its fluctuations.
Zhao’s possible move to education sector may enable him to retain power without violating his deal with the U.S authorities. Some legal professionals have pointed out that the wording of the ban on ‘managing or operating’ Binance is somewhat ambiguous. Zhao could serve as a consultant or offer strategic advice while not directly overseeing the exchange.
Nevertheless, Zhao has managed to remain an influential player in the crypto sphere and still holds the most power as Binance’s largest shareholder. Due to his power to nominate board members and influence key decisions, he remains engaged, albeit not directly.
