The cryptocurrency world is buzzing after former U.S. President Donald Trump granted a pardon to Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the former CEO of Binance. Industry watchers say the move could reshape the future of both Binance and its native token, BNB.
David Namdar, CEO of the digital asset treasury firm BNB Network, called the pardon “rocket fuel” for the exchange and the broader BNB ecosystem. His company, which holds about 500,000 BNB tokens, believes the decision removes a lingering cloud over the asset’s reputation.
“Binance has continued to grow, BNB has continued to grow, despite everything that’s happened,” Namdar said. “Now, this pardon clears the overhang and could spark the next wave of growth.”
CEA Industries Inc.
A New Chapter for Binance and CZ
Zhao, one of the most recognizable figures in crypto, pleaded guilty in 2023 to failing to maintain an effective anti–money laundering program. He served four months in a U.S. prison and was barred from running Binance again. Trump’s decision to pardon him, however, could open the door for his possible return to the company he founded.
The crypto community has largely welcomed the move, viewing Zhao as a key pioneer who helped bring digital assets into the mainstream. His potential comeback could mark a major shift for Binance, especially in the United States, where regulatory pressure has been intense.
Renewed Focus on BNB
BNB — originally launched as Binance’s native token — has grown into the world’s fifth-largest cryptocurrency, boasting a market capitalization of around $158 billion. Despite its global reach, it has often been overlooked by U.S. analysts in favor of more familiar names like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP.
Namdar believes that could soon change.
“Eighty to ninety percent of Binance users hold and use BNB to pay reduced trading fees,” he said, adding that U.S. investor caution was largely tied to past legal concerns involving Binance and Zhao.
BNB has rallied nearly 90% over the past year, trading at $1,145.99 as of Tuesday afternoon, according to data.
Institutional Interest Rising
Namdar’s own firm, BNB Network (officially CEA Industries), has doubled down on its support for the token. In August, the Nasdaq-listed company raised $500 million through a private placement to purchase BNB as its primary treasury reserve asset — a move that signals growing institutional confidence.
He also hinted that the pardon could lay the groundwork for Binance’s re-entry into the U.S. market.
“It’s a strange phenomenon to have the world’s largest exchange unable to serve U.S. customers,” Namdar said.
Binance’s American arm, Binance.US, halted fiat deposits in 2023 after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit alleging securities law violations. Whether Trump’s pardon will ease the company’s regulatory road ahead remains to be seen, but optimism across the crypto industry is unmistakable.
The Bottom Line
Zhao’s pardon could mark the start of a new era for Binance and BNB, restoring confidence in one of crypto’s most influential ecosystems. While legal and regulatory hurdles remain, many see the development as a turning point — one that could accelerate mainstream acceptance of digital assets worldwide.
