Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao revealed what he would do with the $4.3 billion stemming from Binance’s federal settlement in 2023 if the company were refunded following Zhao’s recent pardon by U.S. President Donald Trump.
CZ Unveils Binance Plans if Refunded $4.3 Billion
Replying to an X user’s post on Monday asking what would happen to the settlement money if refunded, Zhao said it was a “delicate question.”
“I appreciate the pardon already,” the newly pardoned crypto founder said. “There is a balance in asking for more vs ‘what is fair’ vs appreciating what you got already.
Zhao said that should Binance see the $4.3 billion returned, the crypto company “will be investing that in America anyway, to show our appreciation.”
“Haven’t asked yet, I think,” he added.
Rep. Maxine Waters Lambasts Trump’s Pardon Of CZ
News of Zhao’s intentions came nearly one month after he was pardoned by Trump for failing to maintain anti-money laundering safeguards at Binance back in 2023.
Binance Holdings Limited itself pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, failure to register as a money transmitting business, and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Binance agreed to pay over $4 billion in forfeiture, while Zhao was ordered to pay $50 million in fines in order to resolve the landmark crypto case.
“Deeply grateful for today’s pardon and to President Trump for upholding America’s commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice,” Zhao wrote in an October 23 X post. “Will do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto and advance web3 worldwide.”
However, not everyone was pleased with Zhao’s pardon, with Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) calling it a way to “effectively legitimize the crypto crime CZ was convicted of.”
“Trump’s pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao—who pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering and facilitating suspicious transactions with child abusers, drug dealers, and terrorists—is an appalling but unsurprising reflection of his presidency: one defined by corruption, self-interest, and loyalty to criminals over working-class American families,” she said in an October 2025 statement.
It is still unclear whether or not Binance will reclaim the $4.3 billion.
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