CZ’s Lawyer Rejects Pardon Corruption Claims Amid Binance–Trump Crypto Probe

U.S. President Trump’s October 22 pardon of Binance founder CZ has drawn scrutiny, with CZ’s lawyer denying bribery allegations and criticizing regulatory actions after FTX’s collapse.

Summary

On October 22, U.S. President Donald Trump granted a formal pardon to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao for accusations of failing to maintain anti-money-laundering compliance. CZ’s attorney, Teresa Goody Guillén, outlined the official pardon process, firmly denied bribery claims, and argued that regulatory targeting intensified following the collapse of FTX. The case has fueled political debate amid heightened scrutiny of cryptocurrency regulation.

Terms & Concepts
  • Binance: A global cryptocurrency exchange platform that facilitates digital asset trading and related services.
  • Anti-Money-Laundering Compliance: Regulatory standards and procedures aimed at preventing the use of financial systems for illicit activities by detecting and reporting suspicious transactions.
  • Pardon: An official act by a head of state or authority that forgives a person for an offense, removing the associated legal consequences.