The change includes a formal application for a presidential pardon after Zhao served time for violations related to the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AML) as he seeks to navigate the complexities of the situation in the US in light of his legal agenda.

Does CZ’s strategy result?

As reported by American Crypto, Zhao’s Foundation, Giggle Academy, partnered with American Legion Charities to donate $2 million to create a permanent scholarship for Fallen’s Children of Disabled Us service members.

The initiative is particularly timely, consistent with Trump’s new focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology, according to the report.

Zhaos’ scholarship program aims to empower students by providing grants of up to $20,000 and features an annual competition that encourages participants to address pressing social issues with innovative solutions.

This coincides with the broader objectives of the Trump administration, including strengthening America’s position as a global leader in technology and cryptocurrency, while supporting veterans and their families.

Recently, the presidential administration has further highlighted this commitment by approving a $83.2 billion defense funding bill that includes pay increases and strengthening benefits for service members.

Former Binance CEO’s permit application gains traction

Industry insiders consider Zhao’s “charitable initiative” potentially strategic, suggesting it could be an attempt to gain favor with the president. “CZ knows what he’s doing,” said a civic executive who is well-versed in the landscape. An executive who chose to remain anonymous when dealing with cryptography in US inquiries further said:

The US needs strong leadership from its top interactions and entrepreneurs to maintain its global crypto capital status. Additionally, a skilled workforce is required to drive the economy of the future.

In addition to the complex situation of former CEOs of Binance in the country, recent speculations have emerged about the possibility of receiving a recent presidential pardon.

CZ tops the leaderboard of crypto betting platform Polymarket as the individual most likely to permeate President Donald Trump in 2025, according to a recent poll.

The story gained momentum after Zhao confirmed on his podcast that he officially applied for pardon. This came after a turbulent year in which he faced important legal hurdles.

During the writing, Exchange’s Native Token Binance Coin (BNB) traded for $782, reaching a gap of over 3% from its current record high two days ago.

CNBC featured images, charts on tradingView.com

On March 13, 2025, WSJ said that Binance reached out to Trump’s family representatives in 2024 and offered a business agreement as part of a broader strategy to reopen Binance. The move also comes as Binance Ex-Ceo Changpeng Zhao is searching for a presidential pardon.

Criticizing the report, Zhao said, “felons should not worry about pardoning, especially the only person in US history to be sentenced to prison on a single BSA charge.”

The WSJ report also suggests that Trump could win stakes in Vinanence or use his crypto venture, World Liberty Financial (WLFI).

Breaking: Trump family is discussing for Binance’s interests in crypto exchange, sources say – WSJ$ bnb > 600 pic.twitter.com/fyp4bruzow

-hadlfm team (@hodl_fm) March 13, 2025

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Trump and Zhao criticize TSJ

4. Sorry for being disappointed. The WSJ article was incorrect.

Over 20 people have come to the WSJ (and another media) to say, “Can you confirm that CZ has made a deal for pardon?”

They asked perhaps hundreds of people to 20 people to reach out to me. in…https://t.co/elydpmkd3g

– CZ bnb (@cz_binance) March 13, 2025

In the case of Binance, this potential partnership represents an important opportunity to re-enter the US market after facing important regulatory challenges.

Zhao, who served in a prison for four months in the US after pleading guilty to violating anti-money laundering requirements, is pushing the Trump administration to pardon him. In the past, the company’s US division has plummeted from 27% to over 1% after regulatory measures.

Steve Witkoff, a longtime Trump friend who serves as a special envoy in the Middle East, has been involved in the negotiations.

Meanwhile, Trump has criticized the WSJ. “The Globalist Wall Street Journal doesn’t know what they’re doing or what they’re saying. They’re owned by the polluted thinking of the European Union, formed for the primary purpose of “smashing down” the United States,” Trump writes of the society of truth.

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The Trump family, who spoke to Changpen Zhao for Binance’s interests while seeking a presidential pardon, first appeared in 99bitcoins.