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Since receiving a full presidential pardon from Donald Trump on October 23, 2025, Changpeng Zhao has shifted focus to investments, advisory work, and public advocacy for crypto adoption. The former Binance CEO has not returned to an operational role at the exchange, but his influence remains substantial through YZi Labs, frequent conference appearances, and ongoing promotion of the BNB ecosystem.
The pardon erased his 2024 conviction for anti-money laundering violations, which resulted in four months of prison time and a $50 million fine. While the pardon sparked political controversy, CZ moved quickly. The three months since have included major speaking engagements, significant investments, charity initiatives, and vocal support for Binance's potential U.S. return.
The Pardon and Its Fallout
The pardon did not arrive without scrutiny. Binance spent $800,000 on lobbying efforts, and critics pointed to the exchange's business ties to World Liberty Financial, the Trump family's crypto venture. Senator Elizabeth Warren called the pardon a sign of corruption, and several Democrats renewed calls for ethics legislation targeting crypto industry influence.
On the other side, pro-crypto voices framed the pardon as evidence of a genuine policy shift under the Trump administration. Supporters argued it signaled the U.S. was serious about competing globally in digital assets rather than punishing industry builders over regulatory gray areas.
CZ denied Wall Street Journal reports suggesting any backroom "deal" tied to Binance.US stakes. He dismissed the coverage as an attack on both Trump and the broader crypto industry, and immediately signaled his intentions on X: "Let's help make America the crypto capital of the world."
Speaking Circuit and Media Presence
CZ has positioned himself as a thought leader on crypto's next chapter, appearing at several major events since October.
At Bitcoin MENA 2025 in December, he predicted Bitcoin entering a "super cycle" in 2026, citing U.S. pro-crypto policies, potential rate cuts, and quantitative easing as tailwinds. He suggested Bitcoin could reach $200,000 long-term and that the traditional four-year halving cycle may be weakening.
His most recent appearance came at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21-22, 2026. CZ spoke on a panel where he laid out his thesis plainly: "Asset tokenization, payments, and AI. These are the three biggest things in crypto right now." He emphasized the potential for AI agents to use crypto for autonomous transactions and discussed ongoing conversations with approximately 12 governments about tokenizing national assets, such as infrastructure and real estate, to unlock liquidity.
On January 14, CZ hosted an AMA on Binance Square. When asked about memecoins, he was blunt: tokens launched based on his posts have a success rate below 10%, and he advised beginners to stay away from futures trading entirely. He expressed optimism about an upcoming "altcoin season" and praised BNB's stable ecosystem.
His first television appearance following the pardon was a Fox News interview on November 7, 2025, where he reflected on his legal situation and outlined his vision for crypto's future.
YZi Labs: The Investment Machine
YZi Labs, CZ's family office spun out from Binance Labs in 2025, has become his primary vehicle for staying active in the industry. The firm manages over $10 billion and focuses on Web3, AI, and biotech.
The marquee deal since October was a multi-eight-figure commitment to Genius Trading in December 2025. The on-chain trading terminal saw $2 billion in volume by January 2026 amid airdrop speculation. CZ joined the project as an advisor.
Beyond Genius, YZi Labs invested in Vana Network, a crypto-AI project focused on data sovereignty, with CZ again taking an advisory role. The firm's portfolio spans over 250 projects, including Sky Mavis, LayerZero, Aptos, and Polygon. In September 2025, the team promoted Alex Odagiu to Investment Partner and later announced a $1 billion fund dedicated to BNB Chain developers. YZi Labs also launched a 12-week founder residency program targeting builders in AI, blockchain, and biotech.
CZ has been careful to clarify that YZi Labs investments are independent projects, not competing with initiatives on other chains.
Binance Ties and U.S. Expansion Plans
CZ resigned from Binance in November 2023 as part of his plea deal and holds no formal role at the company. However, his pardon reopens the door to potential re-engagement.
Reports indicate Binance is actively exploring a U.S. return, with discussions around recapitalizing Binance.US and potentially reducing CZ's stake to satisfy regulatory requirements. CZ has publicly aligned himself with the administration's crypto-friendly stance, though he maintains distance from day-to-day exchange operations.
Whether he eventually returns to an operational role remains unclear. For now, he appears focused on investments and advocacy rather than exchange management. He has described 2026 as looking "awesome" from a builder's perspective, with favorable policy and liquidity conditions supporting crypto growth.
BNB Chain Advocacy
Despite stepping back from Binance, CZ remains BNB Chain's most visible advocate.
The network hit 2.4 million daily users in December 2025. Major institutions have deployed assets on the chain, including BlackRock's BUIDL fund and Circle's USYC stablecoin, which exceeded $1.4 billion in on-chain value. Developer activity has grown across Web3 games, AI projects, and DeFi protocols.
In January 2026, BNB completed its 34th quarterly token burn, removing 1.37 million BNB worth approximately $1.27 billion. The token reached multiple all-time highs in late 2025, peaking above $1,300 in October.
CZ frequently posts bullish takes on BNB's stability and long-term potential, framing the ecosystem as community-driven and well-supported by strong developer fundamentals.
Charity Work and Personal Projects
Philanthropy has been a consistent theme throughout CZ's recent activities.
Giggle Academy, his free education initiative, reached 50,000 children by September 2025 and continues expanding. He has funded life-saving surgeries in Thailand and Myanmar, including heart valve operations and reconstructive jaw surgery for children, partnering with organizations like Operation Smile.
Since October 2024, his charitable efforts have reportedly impacted over 69,360 people across Sudan, Kenya, Thailand, and Myanmar. He also donated to the Hubei Special Education Foundation as part of a Bloomberg defamation settlement.
On the personal front, CZ revealed he is writing a memoir titled "币安人生" in Chinese (roughly "Binance Life"), with the English title yet to be announced. He plans to self-publish within four to six weeks, with all proceeds going to charity. Anticipating speculation, he added a clear disclaimer: the book has no connection to any memecoin projects.
To stay in the loop on CZ's investments, market takes, and charity initiatives, follow him on X at @cz_binance. For more on his investment activity, check out YZi Labs at yzi.xyz.
Sources
- Binance Square AMA - CZ's January 2026 community Q&A session covering market outlook and memecoin warnings
- YZi Labs - Official site for CZ's family office detailing portfolio and investment thesis
- Bitcoin MENA 2025 (YouTube) - CZ's December fireside chat and Bitcoin super cycle predictions
- Reuters WEF Davos Coverage - Reporting on CZ's January 2026 panel appearance
- CZ on X - Primary source for CZ's public statements, corrections, and charity updates