Binance co-founder CZ pushed back against allegations that his pardon was motivated by close ties or business deals with the Trump family.
Binance co-founder CZ said he was somewhat surprised at receiving a pardon from United States President Donald Trump and denied having a business relationship with the Trump family during an interview on Friday.
CZ told Fox News that he never physically met or spoke with Trump before or after receiving a presidential pardon in October, and only met with Trump’s son Eric once at the Bitcoin Middle East and North Africa conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“There is no business relationship between me, Binance, and World Liberty Finance,” CZ said. He added that he was unaware of the status of his pardon during the process:
The pardon drew mixed reactions, with the crypto community celebrating it as a win for the industry and a reversal of the anti-crypto policies of the Biden administration, while Democratic lawmakers were critical of the pardon, accusing Trump of political corruption.
