The founder of Binance and condemned Felon Changpeng Zhao said that he had asked for a forgiveness from US President Donald Trump shortly after denying information that he was looking for one.
Zhao, also known as CZ, said on an episode of Podcast Radio Farokh broadcast on May 6 that he “would not disturb” a forgiveness and that his lawyers have already deposited the documents on his behalf
“I made lawyers apply,” said Zhao, adding that he had submitted the request after Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal reported in March that he was looking for Trump in the midst of discussions on a trade agreement between the Trump family and Binance.us.
Zhao denied reports at the time, but said on the podcast that he thought that “if they wrote this article, I could also officially apply”.
He added that Trump’s forgiveness of three Bitmex founders, including Arthur Hayes, also motivated him to submit a request.
Zhao said the request was submitted about two weeks ago.
Zhao said that at the time of the Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal, reports that “no criminal would take care of forgiveness” and said that he was the only person in American history to serve a prison sentence for a law on the secret of the bank.
Zhao pleaded guilty to an accusation of money laundering in November 2023 as part of a binance of transactions affected with the American authorities, who saw a fine of $ 4.3 billion, to which Zhao contributed $ 50 million. He was also forced to resign from CEO.
Zhao was then sentenced to four months in prison and it was forbidden to work at Binance as part of his advocacy agreement.
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According to the United States Ministry of Justice, forgiveness would not erase the condemnation for the money laundering of Zhao; However, this could potentially allow him to assume a management or operational role at Binance.us.
Zhao does not intend to return as CEO of Binance
Although Zhao remains a Binance shareholder, he told the Binance Blockchain Week in November, which he had “not planned to return to the CEO”.
“I think the team is doing well and doesn’t need me,” said Zhao.
Since his departure from prison, Zhao has started advice roles in Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, helping questions related to cryptography regulations and the implementation of blockchain solutions.
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