"Zhao, who is also known as "CZ", pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering in 2023. He served four months in prison and agreed to step down as the chief executive of Binance, the crypto exchange he co-founded. His companies have partnered with firms linked to Trump on new digital-currency projects including Dominari Holdings, where his sons sit on the board of advisers and which is based in Trump Tower."
"The host of 60 Minutes, Norah O'Donnell, asked Trump why he pardoned Zhao even though government prosecutors had said he caused "significant harm to US national security." "Okay, are you ready? I don't know who he is", the president responded. Trump added that he did not recall meeting Zhao and had "no idea who he is", only that he had been told that the businessman was a victim of a "witch hunt" by the administration of former US president Joe Biden."
Trump said he did not know Changpeng Zhao and did not recall meeting him, despite granting a pardon last month. Zhao pleaded guilty in 2023 to enabling money laundering, served four months in prison, and stepped down as chief executive of Binance. Zhao's companies partnered with firms linked to Trump on digital-currency projects, including Dominari Holdings, where Trump's sons sit on the advisory board and which is based in Trump Tower. The pardon lifts restrictions that barred Zhao from running financial ventures; its effect on regulatory standing and any role at Binance remains unclear. The White House called the prosecution an overly prosecuted part of a "war on cryptocurrency."
Read at www.bbc.com
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