Changpeng Zhao (CZ) said he wants to help make the United States a leading center for crypto after receiving a pardon from President Donald Trump. He spoke at a private press conference during Binance Blockchain Week at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai on Dec. 3–4, 2025.
CZ said he is “very appreciative of the pardon from Trump,” adding that this decision lets Binance operate more “freely” in markets that once posed legal risks, including the US. He tied that change directly to a shift in how Binance views the American market.
“It’s my full intention to help make America the capital of crypto,”
CZ stated. He said that during the Biden administration, Binance tried to reduce its involvement in the US, avoided new investments, and pulled back from the market. “But now I fully intend to help crypto businesses in the US,” he said.
Journalist Rachel Wolfson posted a clip from the session on X, writing that CZ said he has “nothing to do with the Trump family.” In the same post she noted his plans to support blockchain and crypto firms building inside the United States, using the hashtag #BinanceBlockchainWeek.
Binance US Stays Small While CZ Targets America as Binance Growth Area
CZ said Binance US, launched in September 2019 to serve American residents under local rules, “still exists,” but he called it a “small business.” He did not share user or volume figures, but he focused on the hurdles it faced in recent years.
He recalled that in 2023 the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Binance US. After that lawsuit, he said, the platform lost all banking access and several state licenses. Those losses affected how users could deposit and withdraw money through traditional financial channels.
Even with that history, CZ now describes the United States as “a very important market” and a key source of tech talent. He said many experienced blockchain developers live in the US, even though large businesses like Binance and a few other large players are not technically in the US.
“So I do want to help bring many of those businesses back into the region,”
he said. CZ also pointed out that many institutional investors still lack access or exposure to BNB, the native token in the Binance ecosystem. He said Binance wants to expand that access so more professional investors can hold or trade BNB under clear rules.
During the press conference, CZ appeared with Nina Rong, BNB Director of Growth. Her presence placed BNB’s growth strategy alongside the wider discussion about US regulation and Binance’s market plans.
CZ Cites US Crypto Rules, GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act as Key Signals
CZ said he is working with more than a dozen countries on how to design and apply crypto frameworks. That work includes discussions on licensing, supervision, and risk controls for exchanges and other service providers.
He added that only a small number of countries have clear digital asset rules today, but he argued that the United States is now leading this shift. “Now the US is leading – which is good, but the US is only just starting. Trump has only been in power for a year,” he stated.
CZ highlighted the GENIUS Act, which sets out rules for stablecoins. These are tokens designed to track assets such as the US dollar, aiming to hold a stable price. He said the act gives firms a clearer view of requirements when issuing or handling such tokens.
He also pointed to the CLARITY Act, which aims to define digital assets more precisely in US law. That category covers cryptocurrencies and other tokenized instruments. CZ said the bill is still “a work in progress” but helps frame the next steps for oversight.
“Also the first draft of regulations will not be perfect – it takes time to evolve,” he said. CZ added that once rules are clearer, banks will need to work more closely with crypto firms. He said connecting traditional banking systems with crypto platforms is necessary for wider use of digital assets.
CZ Recounts US Prison Term While Stressing Users Did Not Lose Funds
CZ also spoke about his prison sentence in the United States. In April 2024, a US court sentenced him to four months in prison after he pleaded guilty to violating US anti–money laundering laws.
“I went through a lot of challenges – I went to jail, etc. but I know that no one got hurt,”
he said. CZ stated that
“there was no fraud” and “there were no users that got hurt because of my actions.”
He said this point matters for how he sees his role in the industry.
“When I sleep at night I sleep very well because I know I am helping a lot of people,”
he told reporters. His remarks linked his legal case, Binance’s compliance record, and his current effort to build closer ties with US regulators and market participants.
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Tatevik Avetisyan is an editor at Kriptoworld who covers emerging crypto trends, blockchain innovation, and altcoin developments. She is passionate about breaking down complex stories for a global audience and making digital finance more accessible.
📅 Published: December 5, 2025 • 🕓 Last updated: December 5, 2025
