In a brief but widely shared exchange on X (Twitter) today, the co-founder of Binance, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), responded to a question about whether the company would seek recovery of a reported $4.3 billion after his pardon.
The interaction began when industry commentator Anndy Lian tagged him and asked, “I wonder if they will refund your $4.3 billion since you are pardoned?”
Refund of $4.3 billion
The post drew rapid engagement. In a reply later the same day, CZ called the topic “a delicate question” and said he already appreciated the pardon, noting there is “a balance in asking for more vs ‘what is fair’ vs appreciate what you got already.”
The Binance executive added that “IF we get any refund, we will be investing that in America anyway, to show our appreciation,” and said he had not yet made a formal request for any refund.
Also Read: Binance Co-Founder CZ Refuses To Accept Statue Made For Him As It Is Associated With A Memecoin
The history of CZ’s pardon
President Donald Trump said he doesn’t know Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the co-founder of Binance, after pardoning him last month. In a 60 Minutes interview, the President rejected questions regarding Zhao’s case and his family’s cryptocurrency-related business ventures, calling them a “Biden witch hunt.”
Additionally, the lawyer for U.S. Senator and top Senate Banking Committee Democrat Elizabeth Warren denied allegations that she denigrated Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao in comments made shortly after President Trump pardoned him. A letter obtained by D.C. outlet Punchbowl News stated the statement was “true in all respects.”
Community reacts
The post initially gained heavy traction, but a subsequent thread under the same message drew an unexpected second wave of engagement, this time with a more personal tone.
One user wrote, “Can you change my life in 1 second?” The Binance Co-Founder replied that if one waits for others to change their life in 1 second, no one will be able to change their life in your lifetime. So it is better ask oneself to change their life.
Another commenter then asked whether everyone truly gets the same opportunity to make such a choice. Changpeng Zhao (CZ) responded: “Nothing is exactly the same, but there are many chances for most people.”
The back-and-forth added a philosophical layer to what began as a regulatory-financial conversation, with the Ex-CEO remarks mixing gratitude, caution, and personal philosophy about agency and opportunity. This comes as news to the community, as it eagerly waits to see what comes next on this.
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