Binance Eyes US Return After Trump Pardon for CZ: Report

Core Insights - Binance is exploring strategic options to re-enter the U.S. market following the presidential pardon of founder Changpeng Zhao, considering consolidating its U.S. affiliate or allowing direct access for American investors [1][7] - The pardon, granted after Zhao's guilty plea for inadequate anti-money laundering controls, raises concerns over conflicts of interest, particularly in light of Binance's recent $2 billion deal with Trump's family crypto firm [2][6] - Zhao's net worth of $61.4 billion and his influence over Binance's blockchain ecosystem, which holds approximately $8.7 billion in assets, positions him as a significant player in the crypto market [5] Strategic Developments - The presidential pardon removes legal barriers for Zhao, enabling him to re-engage with Binance ventures and potentially reshape the company's operations in the U.S. [4] - Binance's current U.S. operations are limited, capturing less than 1% of U.S. Bitcoin trading volume compared to nearly 40% of the global market share held by its international platform [7] - The company recently launched a stablecoin project for World Liberty Financial, which is expected to generate tens of millions annually, further intertwining its operations with Trump's family interests [6]