Changpeng Zhao, the founder and former CEO of Binance, has officially confirmed submitting a presidential pardon request. This admission comes weeks after initial denials, prompted by media reports suggesting such a move. Speaking on the Farokh Radio podcast aired on May 6, Zhao stated, "I got lawyers applying," indicating that the application was filed approximately two weeks prior.

Zhao cited former President Donald Trump's previous pardons of BitMEX executives, including Arthur Hayes, as a motivating factor. In November 2023, Zhao pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, resulting in a four-month prison sentence and a $50 million personal fine, as part of a broader $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities. While a pardon wouldn't erase the conviction, it could potentially allow Zhao to resume a leadership role at Binance.US. Currently, Zhao remains a shareholder in Binance and has shifted focus to advising governments on crypto regulation and blockchain integration