Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, said his recent presidential pardon “came out of nowhere,” and denied there was any business arrangement tied to it, according to a Fox News interview where he spoke for the first time since the pardon.

CZ said he never met President Donald Trump, never discussed any deal with him, and did not have financial ties with any member of Trump’s family.

The Binance founder said the pardon surprised him because there was no hint of timing or progress during the petition process. He said his lawyers filed the request in April, but he never received updates before the decision came down.

When asked about Trump saying he didn’t know him, CZ said Trump meant they didn’t have a personal relationship. “We have never met. We have never talked,” CZ said. Trump also said, “I don’t know who he is,” when asked why he pardoned him.

Trump added that his sons “are into it,” referring to crypto, and said they run businesses and are not involved in government.

CZ said the closest he came to meeting anyone from the Trump family was speaking briefly with Eric Trump at a Bitcoin Mina conference in Abu Dhabi. He emphasized that this single meeting did not involve business, planning, or legal discussion.

Charges, guilty plea, and prison time explained

The Department of Justice previously said CZ made Binance the largest crypto exchange by encouraging U.S. customer activity while refusing to follow U.S. laws.

The DOJ said he violated anti-money laundering rules and sanctions rules that they believed protected the U.S. financial system. In November 2023, CZ pleaded guilty. He said he chose to plead guilty because he wanted to handle the situation directly.

“I think it’s the best way to confront the problem and solve it head on,” he said. He voluntarily flew to the United States from a non-extradition country to face the case. He said he did not dispute the charges or the plea.

“I do not have anything to debate,” he said. He also noted he became the first known first-time offender in U.S. history to receive prison time for a single non-fraud offense of this type.

When speaking about how the pardon happened, CZ said he did not know whether it would be granted. “I don’t know when or if it’s going to happen,” he said. He said he understood why some people questioned the timing, but insisted there was nothing exchanged.

“There is no deal,” said CZ. “There has never been any discussions.” He rejected reports claiming his representatives tried to negotiate with Trump allies before the election.

He also rejected claims that Binance discussed arrangements with World Liberty Financial, a company tied to Trump’s sons. “There’s no business relationship between me and Binance and World Liberty Finance,” he said.

Trump’s stance on crypto and regulatory clarity

During recent remarks, Trump said he ended what he called the Biden administration’s “war on crypto,” and said he wanted the United States to become the “Bitcoin superpower” and the “crypto capital of the world.”

CZ said he is grateful for the pardon and wants to support clearer regulation in the industry. He said he now sees more regulatory clarity in the United States than he did during the period when he was charged.

He referenced the Genius Act, saying more structure benefits the entire industry, although he noted he is not a lawyer and does not know every detail.

Near the end of the interview, he said he believes his name is already clear now that the legal process and pardon are complete.

He said he wants to focus on new work and positive activities going forward.

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