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cz.wiki
The unofficial, source-backed reference on Changpeng Zhao (CZ)
An encyclopedia-style reference that covers biography, business, legal affairs and differing views. Every statement carries a numbered reference; anything that cannot yet be sourced is marked.
Read the main article ↗How we source and label →Legal status at a glance
As of 2026-10-27; the original documents prevail. See Legal affairs of Changpeng Zhao.
- 2023-11-21 — Guilty plea and resignation. Pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering programme (Bank Secrecy Act) and resigned as Binance CEO; Binance pleaded guilty in the same case and paid about US$4.316 billion in total. [1] See United States v. Zhao.
- 2024-04-30 → 2024-09-27 — Four-month sentence, served. Judge Richard Jones in Seattle imposed four months, shorter than the three years prosecutors sought. [2] Released on 27 September 2024. [3]
- 2025-10-21 signed · 10-23 published — Full and unconditional pardon from President Trump. The grant lists United States v. Zhao, 23CR00179RAJ-001. [4] The White House described him as a victim of the Biden administration's "war on crypto"; critics point to political connections and lobbying. [5][6] See Pardon of Changpeng Zhao.
Related civil and overseas proceedings continue (for example a collective action in the High Court of England and Wales; allegations only, no ruling). See Legal affairs of Changpeng Zhao.
Latest developments
- 2026-10-26 — Zhao attended the Nasdaq opening-bell ceremony for BNB Standard (ticker BNC). [7][8][9]
- 2026-10-25 — Zhao posted "Multiple chains, one coins.", referring to BNB Chain's planned new high-speed network. [10]
- 2026-10-24 — Japanese outlet PIVOT aired an interview with Zhao; the same day he announced an AI-voiced audiobook of Freedom of Money. [11][12][13]
- 2026-10-09 — Giggle Academy announced 2 million learners in 193 countries and regions. [14]
The automatic live feed lists newer, unverified items.
Featured article
Person
Changpeng Zhao
Changpeng Zhao (CZ) is a Chinese-born Canadian entrepreneur, co-founder and former CEO of Binance, who pleaded guilty to a U.S. Bank Secrecy Act charge in 2023 and was pardoned in 2025.
OrganizationBinance
Binance is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2017 by Changpeng Zhao; in 2023 it pleaded guilty to U.S. anti-money-laundering failures.
Legal caseUnited States v. Zhao
United States v. Zhao (23CR00179RAJ-001) is the U.S. federal criminal case in which Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to a Bank Secrecy Act violation, was sentenced to four months, and was later pardoned.
EventPardon of Changpeng Zhao
In October 2025 President Donald Trump granted Changpeng Zhao a full and unconditional pardon in United States v. Zhao.
OrganizationGiggle Academy
Giggle Academy is a non-profit, free, game-based online English-learning platform for children, launched by Changpeng Zhao.
OrganizationYZi Labs
YZi Labs is the investment firm formerly known as Binance Labs, renamed in January 2025.
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Recent changes
- 2026-10-27 Binance — Create article: Binance (History)
- 2026-10-27 BNB Chain — Create stub: BNB Chain (History)
- 2026-10-27 BNB Standard — Create stub: BNB Standard (History)
- 2026-10-27 Changpeng Zhao — Create article: Changpeng Zhao (History)
- 2026-10-27 Freedom of Money — Create article: Freedom of Money (History)
- 2026-10-27 Giggle Academy — Create article: Giggle Academy (History)
This site
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References
Select a title to open the original page. Dates and verification notes are kept as found.
- Binance and CEO Plead Guilty to Federal Charges in $4B Resolution
- Binance crypto founder Zhao sentenced to four months in prison
- Binance founder 'CZ' released from custody after four-month sentence
- Executive Grant of Clemency — United States v. Zhao, 23CR00179RAJ-001
- Trump pardons founder of Binance, world's largest crypto exchange
- Trump pardons convicted Binance founder 'CZ' Zhao
- CZ post: “When BNB started 9 years ago…”
- CZ pitches BNB Chain's role in AI as BNB Standard rings Nasdaq bell
- Binance's CZ Has the Last Laugh
- CZ post: “Multiple chains, one coins.”
- CZ post: interview with PIVOT
- CZ: In the AI Era, Reject "Cog-in-the-Machine" Thinking (compiled from the PIVOT interview)
- CZ post: AI-voiced audiobook of Freedom of Money on Spotify
- Giggle Academy Reaches 2 Million Learners
- Changpeng Zhao