Recent disclosures reveal that former President Donald Trump’s pardon of Binance founder Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao followed an intensive Washington lobbying campaign by the cryptocurrency exchange. According to Politico’s investigation, Binance allocated approximately $740,000 toward influential political operatives during the critical period preceding the presidential pardon decision.
The lobbying initiative included substantial payments totaling $450,000 to advocacy firms with established connections to the Trump administration. Additionally, the exchange directed $290,000 to Teresa Goody Guillén, a prominent legal expert who had previously been considered for Securities and Exchange Commission leadership positions.
This strategic financial engagement with Washington power brokers occurred as Binance sought to navigate complex regulatory challenges and position its leadership favorably within political circles. The substantial investment in governmental affairs specialists underscores the exchange’s commitment to shaping policy discourse and building relationships with key decision-makers.
The pardon, granted during the final hours of Trump’s presidency, effectively cleared Zhao of potential legal obstacles while highlighting the growing intersection between digital asset enterprises and political influence operations. This case exemplifies how major cryptocurrency platforms are increasingly engaging with traditional political mechanisms to advance their operational objectives and regulatory positioning.
