'No idea who he is', says Trump after pardoning crypto tycoon
Published: 11/3/2025
US President Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, co-founder of Binance, despite claiming he didn't know who Zhao was. The pardon follows Zhao's guilty plea for money laundering in 2023. Trump's support for cryptocurrencies was discussed during an interview with 60 Minutes, emphasizing the need for the US to lead in the industry. The pardon lifts restrictions on Zhao but raises questions about his status with US regulators and his role at Binance.
