- Donald Trump’s family is reportedly exploring an investment in Binance US amid the exchange’s ongoing legal issues.
- The potential stake acquisition may be linked to efforts to secure a pardon for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.
The Trump family is reportedly in talks with Binance US, the U.S. subsidiary of the crypto exchange, to acquire a stake in it. This follows Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, popularly known as CZ, asking for a pardon after pleading guilty in 2023 for violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws.
Zhao stepped down as CEO as part of a $4.3 billion settlement, closing a long-running investigation by U.S. authorities.
Reports said Binance approached Trump allies in 2024 with a business offer to the former president’s family. The offer was made to help restore the exchange’s presence in the U.S. following regulatory difficulties. The talks raised questions about whether the Trump family’s investment was tied to Zhao’s legal status.
The exact terms of the proposed stake remain unclear. It is uncertain whether the Trump family is subject to a pardon for Zhao or whether they consider it strictly a business opportunity.
The report does note, however, that the negotiations would involve World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency platform that is affiliated with the Trump family.
CZ Denies Seeking Pardon
Following news about the rumored deal, Zhao denied reports that he sought a pardon from the Trump administration. The reports were termed by him as misleading and against Trump and the crypto space. In his view, he has never negotiated any Binance US deal with any party.
4. Sorry to disappoint. The WSJ article got the facts wrong.
More than 20 people have told me they were asked by the WSJ (and another media), “Can you confirm that CZ made some deal for a pardon?”
They probably asked hundreds of people to have 20 people reach out to me. In… https://t.co/ELyDPmKD3G
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) March 13, 2025
Binance US has been attempting to regain services after regulatory problems forced it to suspend fiat trades in 2023. The exchange reopened USD deposits and withdrawals earlier this year, suggesting efforts at regaining stability in the U.S. market.
But the latest report has sparked talks about the intersection between business, politics, and cryptocurrency regulation.
Even though Zhao is no longer directly involved in Binance’s day-to-day business, he is still the company’s largest shareholder. That would give him substantial control over any transaction that would entail the Trump family.
Meanwhile, Trump’s ties with the cryptocurrency market have grown, with his relatives launching meme coins and having interests in crypto ventures.
Binance CEO Discusses Future of Crypto
The CEO of Binance last month, in an interview, discussed the future of cryptocurrency in Trump’s administration. The CEO was upbeat about seeing more institutional investment in digital currencies and the likelihood of regulatory changes that would be in the best interest of the industry.
According to him, approval for a Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. has been a game changer, setting the stage for increased investor confidence. He also stressed the need for balanced regulatory regimes that would be conducive to innovation but also protect consumers.
Governments worldwide are exploring innovative approaches to regulating crypto, and Binance is actively engaging with regulators in a bid to help frame policies that enable expansion in the industry.
As far as Binance is concerned, the CEO stated that the company is focusing on compliance and transparency in operations. The exchange has significantly invested in regulatory compliance, having hired independent directors and increased oversight in a bid to operate in the highly regulated market.
The CEO also discussed the challenges that Binance has faced in the past, particularly in the previous administration. He emphasized that the company is in a stronger position now to expand globally, with respect for regulatory regimes in many jurisdictions.
