Key Takeaways
- CZ denied reports of discussions regarding a potential deal involving Trump and Binance.
- CZ suggested the article was an attack on President and crypto, citing residual forces.
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Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has publicly denied the Wall Street Journal’s report suggesting that representatives of President Donald Trump’s family engaged in discussions to acquire a financial stake in Binance.US. He said that the article was inaccurate, suggesting it was designed to discredit Trump and the crypto sector.
“I have had no discussions of a Binance US deal with … well, anyone,” CZ wrote on X, responding to what he described as widespread inquiries from media outlets.
The former CEO of Binance said more than 20 people informed him they were contacted by WSJ and another media outlet asking to confirm whether he “made some deal for a pardon.”
According to WSJ, Binance reached out to Trump’s allies last year, proposing a business arrangement as part of the company’s strategy to revitalize its US operations. The report also stated that CZ is seeking a pardon from the President.
CZ suggested the article appeared to be “motivated as an attack on the President and crypto,” adding that “residual forces of the “war on crypto’ from the last administration are still at work.”
The crypto exchange’s founder, who faces prison time after pleading guilty to violating US anti-money laundering requirements, noted he was “the only one in US history who was ever sentenced to prison for a single BSA charge.”
“No felon would mind a pardon,” CZ added, while expressing his commitment to making “crypto great everywhere, US and the rest of the world.”
CZ previously denied rumors that Binance was for sale. However, he hinted at the possibility of allowing small-scale investments in the future.
4. Some lowly self-perceived competitor in Asia fudding about Binance (CEX) for sale.😂
As a shareholder, Binance is not for sale.
Top investors have always been interested in Binance. Over time, we may allow some investments in the single-digit percentage range.🤷♂️
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) February 17, 2025
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