Thu Sep 25 01:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Binance-Linked Crypto BNB Soars Amid Pardon Speculation for Founder Changpeng Zhao

**New York, NY -** The BNB token, a cryptocurrency closely associated with the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, reached an all-time high over the weekend, fueled by growing speculation that Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) will receive a US presidential pardon. The surge occurred despite Zhao’s previous conviction and prison sentence for federal crimes as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with US authorities.

According to Bloomberg data, BNB, the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, peaked at $1,083 on Sunday before retreating on Monday in a broader market selloff that affected Bitcoin and Ether as well.

Zhao, who stepped down as Binance CEO in 2023, served a four-month prison sentence earlier this year. In a recent podcast, he publicly stated his intention to seek a pardon from US President Donald Trump. This announcement ignited significant speculation, with online betting platform Polymarket showing the odds of a pardon reaching a high of 64% on September 13 before settling at 50%.

“Rumors of CZ’s possible pardon fuel further speculation,” Patrick Horsman, co-founder of Build and Build Corp, told Bloomberg, adding that positive regulatory developments in the US for Binance also contributed to BNB’s record high.

A pardon for Zhao could have significant implications for Binance. The company already has ties to Trump’s business ventures, having reportedly assisted in the development of a stablecoin for World Liberty Financial Inc., a Trump family-linked entity.

The news comes as Senator Elizabeth Warren recently pressed the US Justice Department regarding Binance’s compliance with its 2023 settlement agreement, which addressed money-laundering and sanctions violations. Binance is also reportedly nearing a deal with the Justice Department that could eliminate the need for an external compliance monitor.

Currently, listed accumulators hold approximately $560 million worth of BNB tokens, representing 0.4% of the total supply, according to CoinMarketCap data.

BNB, originally known as Binance Coin, was created in 2017 through an initial coin offering (ICO). Approximately 80 million tokens, now valued at around $83 billion, were allocated to the company’s founding team, including Zhao. The funds raised through the ICO were used to launch the Binance exchange.

The recent surge in BNB’s value has further bolstered Zhao’s wealth, estimated at $54.6 billion, making him the richest individual in the cryptocurrency industry, according to Bloomberg data.

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