Michaela
Teresa Goody Guillén, attorney for Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, has rejected claims of corruption tied to President Donald Trump’s pardon of Zhao, describing media reports suggesting pay-to-play arrangements as inaccurate and based on misunderstandings of blockchain technology and crypto business practices.
Key Points
- She emphasized that Zhao is the only CEO to have been prosecuted for these specific offenses, even though major banks have faced equal or more severe charges
- Critics argue that the timing and circumstances of the pardon raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of the clemency process
In a recent interview on the Pomp Podcast, Guillén defended Binance founder Zhao’s pardon, arguing that he faced unusually harsh treatment compared to executives at traditional financial institutions who were charged with similar compliance violations. She emphasized that Zhao is the only CEO to have been prosecuted for these specific offenses, even though major banks have faced equal or more severe charges.
President Trump granted a pardon to Zhao in October, sparking intense scrutiny and criticism from lawmakers who allege that financial connections between the Trump family’s crypto ventures and Binance may have influenced the decision.
Critics argue that the timing and circumstances of the pardon raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of the clemency process. Trump, however, has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Zhao prior to granting the pardon, framing the decision as a routine exercise of presidential authority.
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Guillén stated that Zhao received the pardon because his prosecution was unwarranted, noting that the case involved no fraud, no victims, and no prior criminal history. She attributed the legal action to what she described as the Biden administration’s “war on crypto,” suggesting that regulators singled out Binance and Zhao as high-profile examples.
Furthermore, Guillén rejected claims that Zhao’s pardon was connected to business interactions between Binance and World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a company linked to the Trump family. She compared the situation to a listing on Craigslist, arguing that just because WLFI launched its USD1 stablecoin on the Binance Smart Chain, it does not imply a personal relationship between the company and Binance’s CEO.
In a recent Fox News interview, Zhao denied any business connections between himself, Binance, and World Liberty Financial. He clarified that he had never met or communicated with President Trump before or after receiving the pardon, and that his only interaction with Eric Trump occurred at the Bitcoin Middle East and North Africa conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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Zhao also stated that he was unaware of the timing or likelihood of the pardon, noting that his lawyers had submitted the request in April and he had no knowledge of its progress.
Read More
- Trump’s Binance Pardon Sparks Fury: Senators Demand DOJ Answers
- Binance CEO Denies Role in Trump Family’s $2B Stablecoin Deal
- White House Defends Trump’s Pardon of Binance CEO Amid Crypto Shift
MICHAELA
Michaela is a news writer focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain topics. She prioritizes rigorous research and accuracy to uncover interesting angles and ensure engaging reporting. A lifelong book lover, she applies her passion for reading to deeply explore the constantly evolving crypto world.
