CZ Denies Binance Deal Talks with Trump Family, Calls WSJ Report Misleading

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has refuted the Wall Street Journal's (WSJ) claims regarding talks between the Trump family and Binance for a potential business deal. The report suggested that Binance had been negotiating with Trump’s representatives to secure a pardon for Zhao in exchange for business interests. However, CZ has denied having any such conversations. "The WSJ article got the facts wrong," he stated. CZ Disputes Pardon Deal Allegations In his tweet, Zhao strongly rejected the notion that he had discussed a deal with the Trump family or anyone else about acquiring a stake in Binance.US. He highlighted that the WSJ and other media outlets had approached more than 20 people to verify the details of such a deal. However, none could confirm it. He noted that for 20 individuals to have informed him about WSJ's inquiry, it suggests the media must have contacted hundreds of people. Zhao expressed frustration with what he described as an attempt by the media to “make a story” from unsubstantiated claims.  “I have had no discussions of a Binance US deal with… well, anyone,” Zhao confirmed. Speaking on his reported desire to be pardoned by President Trump, the former Binance CEO stressed that no felon would mind a pardon, especially since he’s the only person in U.S. history to be sentenced to prison for a single BSA charge. https://twitter.com/cz_binance/status/1900194883891322948 Zhao Suggests Anti-Crypto Bias Behind the Article While Zhao denied any discussions of a pardon, he suggested that the WSJ article was part of a broader attack on President Donald Trump and the crypto industry.  He implied that the article reflected the lingering forces of the "war on crypto" from the former U.S. administration led by Joe Biden still at work. Notably, Binance pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating anti-money laundering laws. In settling the charges, CZ stepped down from his CEO position, and the exchange paid a historic $4.3 billion fine. The WSJ article suggested that Zhao’s conviction complicated Binance’s ability to operate in the U.S. and that a pardon would facilitate the company's potential return to the American market.  It speculated that such a deal could open the door for Trump’s family to become more involved in the U.S. crypto market through their existing venture, World Liberty Financial. However, Zhao’s outright denial casts doubt on whether any serious discussions took place between Binance and Trump’s representatives.