Yes

>>CZ’s lawyer criticizes the media for promoting the “Trump pardon for crypto benefits” storyline.

CZ’s lawyer criticizes the media for promoting the “Trump pardon for crypto benefits” storyline.

crypthub

2 days ago

Pardon Rationale

Teresa Goody Guillén explained that President Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao because the original prosecution was deemed unwarranted. The pardon statement affirmed that Zhao had not committed a crime. Guillén argued the case was a regulatory dispute, not a criminal matter, making the pardon a correction of legal overreach.

Regulatory vs Criminal Issue

CZ faced accusations of lacking adequate anti‑money‑laundering controls, which Guillén described as a compliance failure rather than illegal activity. She noted that he is the only executive prosecuted for such regulatory violations, contrasting with treatment of leaders at traditional financial firms. Guillén believes the action was part of a broader “war on crypto” intensified after the FTX collapse.

Pardon Process and Misconceptions

The attorney outlined that pardon applications undergo reviews by the DOJ, the Office of the Pardon Attorney, and the White House Counsel before presidential approval. She dismissed rumors of a quid‑pro‑quo or corruption, labeling them as misinterpretations of unverified sources. Guillén also clarified that alleged business ties, such as with World Liberty Financial, have been widely misread.

Impact on Binance and Future

Despite the pardon, Binance remains subject to restrictions from the DOJ, CFTC, and Treasury, limiting its U.S. operations. Guillén said Zhao will not return to the firm while these constraints persist, even though no fraud or criminal record exists. She concluded that the U.S. loses significant liquidity and opportunities by restricting one of the world’s largest crypto platforms.