CZ denies Wall Street Journal allegation of asking Trump for pardon

CZ Refutes WSJ: Is Binance Involved in Amnesty Deal?

On March 13, 2025, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published a shocking article, claiming that Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, sought to exchange a deal with Binance US for a pardon from the Trump administration .

However, CZ immediately denied it, calling it a made-up story .

CZ: “They are trying to create a story!”

On social media, CZ said the WSJ had reached out to dozens of people seeking evidence for this allegation.

“More than 20 people told me they were asked by the WSJ about the amnesty deal. They must have asked hundreds of people to get that number,” CZ wrote.

He emphasized that he had never discussed any deal related to Binance US . At the same time, CZ said that this article was politically motivated , aiming to attack the crypto industry and the US government.

Is the media manipulating crypto news?
The WSJ article said Binance had contacted Trump supporters to seek a return to the US market, after the company faced a series of legal troubles in 2023.

However, many in the crypto industry question the objectivity of traditional media . Some argue that major news outlets often report from a perspective that favors traditional finance, rather than honestly reflecting the industry's reality.

Despite the allegations, CZ asserted that Binance remains committed to growing the global crypto market .

However, this incident shows that government pressure on the crypto industry is increasing , forcing companies to adapt to new regulations.