Trump Officially Pardons Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao This marks a turning point that will go down in crypto history. Trump has officially signed a pardon for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), bringing an end to a nearly two-year-long legal tug-of-war. Looking back at the entire journey, a few key milestones shaped today’s outcome: The storm began in June 2023, reaching its first climax when the U.S. SEC filed a comprehensive lawsuit against Binance and CZ. The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange faced unprecedented survival pressure, with the entire industry holding its breath. The turning point came in November 2023. CZ stepped down as CEO and Binance paid a staggering $4.3 billion fine to settle with the U.S. Department of Justice. This decision, seen by the industry as a “sacrifice to survive,” essentially bought the exchange valuable breathing room. The real breakthrough arrived on May 30, 2025. The U.S. SEC voluntarily withdrew all charges under the legal framework of a “dismissal with prejudice.” This not only marked the end of the case but also represented complete legal vindication—under the U.S. judicial system, a “dismissal with prejudice” means the case can never be reopened. The entire journey clearly outlines a trend: the crypto industry is gradually transforming from a challenger of rules to a co-builder within the regulatory framework. The relationship between regulation and innovation has undergone a profound evolution, shifting from outright confrontation to seeking coexistence. This transformation is not just about the fate of a single company or individual but signals that the entire industry is entering a new phase of development.