Binance founder CZ has requested Trump to pardon his money laundering conviction

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao confirmed that he has filed a pardon request to Donald Trump for his money laundering conviction after denying previous reports that he had done so.

Binance founder and also convicted felon Changpeng Zhao stated that he submitted a pardon request to U.S. President Donald Trump right after denying reports that he was seeking a pardon.

Zhao, also known as CZ, mentioned in a podcast episode of Farokh Radio aired on May 6 that he "did not mind" being pardoned and that his lawyer had submitted the paperwork on his behalf.

"I had a lawyer submit the application," Zhao said, adding that he filed the request after Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal reported in March that he was seeking a pardon from Trump amid discussions about a business deal between the Trump family and Binance.US.

Zhao had denied the reports at that time, but said on the podcast that he thought, "if they are writing this article, then I might as well officially submit the application."

He further mentioned that Trump's pardon of the three founders of BitMEX, including Arthur Hayes, also motivated him to file the application.

Mr. Zhao stated that the application was submitted about two weeks ago.

Zhao stated at the time Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal reported that "no criminal cares about being pardoned" and claimed he was the only person in U.S. history to serve time for an offense under the Bank Secrecy Act.