Zhao's return to Binance? Pardon promises new opportunities!

Zhao's return to Binance? Pardon promises new opportunities!

Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, received a pardon from President Trump on October 23, 2025. This decision has an immediate impact on the crypto market and on Zhao himself. According to crypto.news, prediction markets on Polymarket show that the probability of Zhao joining Binance by the end of 2025 returns, is now at 50%. Before the pardon, the odds had fallen to 7%, but rose to 51% after the announcement. These developments shaped market sentiment and generated brisk trading activity, with a trading volume of $45,974 for the market titled “Will CZ Return by December 31st?”

Prediction markets opened on September 19, 2025, and at the start, 68% of traders voted for Zhao's return. Despite these positive developments, Zhao had stated in 2024 that he had no plans to resume his role as Binance CEO. Nevertheless, his company shares and his current leadership roles at YZi Labs suggest a possible return in an advisory or strategic role.

Pardons and market developments

The pardon was confirmed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who called the decision an exercise of constitutional powers. She also emphasized that the Biden administration’s “war on crypto” is now over. Zhao himself expressed gratitude for the pardon and aims to make the USA the “capital of crypto”.

Binance also plans to return to the US market and is in discussions with the Department of Justice regarding compliance. In 2023, Zhao was convicted of money laundering and sentenced to four months in prison, leading to his resignation as CEO. Richard Teng subsequently took over management of the company.

Zhao’s influence in the industry

After his release in September 2024, Zhao made it clear that he was not under a “lifetime ban,” giving him the opportunity to actively operate in the crypto space again. In December 2024, he reiterated that he had no intention of returning as CEO but welcomed the pardon. Zhao continues to own a significant stake in Binance, giving him influence in the company and opening up the option of an active management or advisory role, provided the board and regulators agree.

Since January 2025, Zhao has served as the head of YZi Labs, the venture capital arm of Binance. Since his release, he has funded numerous projects dealing with Web3, artificial intelligence, robotics and biotechnology. Zhao is also developing an educational initiative, the “Giggle Academy,” which has received over $11 million in BNB donations.