Binance Rivals Allegedly Tried Blocking CZ Pardon Over US Market Fears

• CZ claims Binance rivals feared pardon could revive US expansion strongly.
• Donald Trump pardon reignites debate surrounding Binance and American crypto competition.
• Binance founder says competitors allegedly resisted pardon amid growing market pressure.

Crypto traders reacted strongly after Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao claimed rival exchanges allegedly opposed his presidential pardon. According to Zhao, several US-based competitors feared Binance could regain momentum within the American market after years of regulatory pressure. Speaking during an interview on the Crypto Banter podcast, Zhao explained that he believes lobbying efforts may have worked against him behind the scenes. However, he admitted he does not possess direct evidence proving those actions occurred.

His comments revived discussion around Binance’s complicated relationship with US regulators and the company’s future presence in the country. Additionally, the remarks arrived months after current US President Donald Trump granted Zhao a pardon in October 2025. That decision came roughly one year after Zhao completed a four-month prison sentence linked to anti-money-laundering violations. Binance previously agreed to a $4.3 billion settlement with US authorities over failures tied to compliance obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act and related regulations.

Moreover, Zhao suggested Binance competitors viewed his possible return as a threat to their domestic market share. He stated that some exchanges likely preferred Binance to remain sidelined from US operations permanently. Binance exited the US market in late 2023 following its regulatory settlement. Nevertheless, Binance.US restarted services for eligible users in February 2025, months before Zhao officially received his pardon.

Also Read: XRP Ledger Unveils Massive Lending Upgrade That Could Transform XRP Forever

CZ Revisits Regulatory Pressure as Binance Eyes Long-Term Stability

Zhao’s remarks also renewed attention toward the broader regulatory climate surrounding cryptocurrency exchanges inside the United States. Many industry observers continue monitoring how major firms navigate compliance requirements after years of enforcement actions. Meanwhile, Zhao recently secured another legal victory after a federal court in Alabama dismissed allegations involving Binance and Binance.US. The lawsuit accused the firms of facilitating transactions connected to terrorist organizations. However, the court granted a motion dismissing the complaint earlier this year.

Besides addressing legal matters, Changpeng Zhao also discussed the long-term future of blockchain technology. During another podcast appearance with Scott Melker, he predicted crypto could eventually become invisible infrastructure for everyday users.  According to Zhao, blockchain adoption may resemble how internet protocols operate today without constant public attention. Consequently, he expects users to interact with crypto-powered systems naturally rather than treating crypto as a separate industry category.

At the same time, Binance continues rebuilding parts of its global image following years of legal battles and operational restrictions. Although regulatory scrutiny remains high, Zhao’s latest comments show that competition inside the crypto exchange sector remains intense. Zhao’s claims introduced another layer to the ongoing rivalry among major crypto exchanges operating within the United States. While he acknowledged lacking direct proof, his remarks highlighted concerns surrounding Binance’s potential return to stronger US market activity.

Also Read: LCX (LCX) Price Prediction 2026–2030: Can LCX Hit $0.10 Soon?

The post Binance Rivals Allegedly Tried Blocking CZ Pardon Over US Market Fears appeared first on 36Crypto.