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The Digest:

Former President Donald Trump has granted a presidential pardon to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. The pardon, justified by the White House as a corrective to the "Biden Administration's war on cryptocurrency," potentially clears the path for Binance's return to US operations.

Key Points:
  • Trump pardoned Zhao, who pleaded guilty to money laundering charges in 2023.
  • The White House criticized the Biden administration's sentencing as overly harsh.
  • Zhao was sentenced to four months in prison and paid a $200 million fine.
  • Binance agreed to over $4 billion in fines for AML and sanctions violations.
  • The pardon could allow Binance to operate again in the United States.
  • Zhao stepped down as Binance CEO as part of the 2023 settlement.
  • The decision follows a months-long lobbying campaign for his clemency.
This executive action signals a significant political and regulatory shift, placing the volatile world of digital currency at the center of US policy and power.

Sources: CNN, The Wall Street Journal

Tags: Donald Trump, Changpeng Zhao, Binance,