TL;DR

Changpeng Zhao ruled out a return to Binance following Donald Trump’s pardon; he will remain a shareholder without executive responsibilities.
Zhao confirmed he will not resume executive or advisory roles and said his departure established a definitive separation from the platform’s management.
Binance surpassed 300 million users and posted an estimated $34 trillion in annual trading volume under the leadership of Richard Teng.

Changpeng Zhao ruled out any return to an operational role at Binance after receiving a presidential pardon from Donald Trump that removed the legal restrictions tied to his 2023 conviction. The exchange’s co-founder said the company operates solidly under its current leadership and that his involvement is no longer necessary beyond his status as a shareholder.

Zhao also stated that he has no intention of resuming executive duties or internal advisory functions. He said his exit marked a definitive break from the day-to-day management of the world’s largest crypto exchange, and that this arrangement remains in place.

Binance Is in Good Hands

The former CEO recalled that his resignation came after seven years at the helm of the company. He described that period as intense and confirmed that his departure was not voluntary at the time. Still, he said the process resulted in an operating structure that is independent of his figure.

Since his exit, Binance has continued to expand its scale. In an open letter published in December, current CEO Richard Teng and co-founder Yi He reported that the platform’s user base surpassed 300 million. The document also stated that total trading volume over the past year reached an estimated $34 trillion.

Zhao cited those figures as evidence of the company’s autonomous operation. He said the current leadership has maintained business growth without disruption and that the executive structure does not require his direct involvement. In that context, he defined his current role as that of a passive shareholder.

The Link Between Zhao and Trump

CZ clarified that he does not take part in strategic decisions or daily operations. He added that when he has views on the industry or on Binance, he shares them publicly on social media, without internal channels or formal roles.

The pardon granted by Trump prompted reactions within US political circles. Some lawmakers raised concerns about potential links between Binance and Trump-associated crypto projects. The former president denied knowing Zhao personally and rejected any direct relationship

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Filed under: News - @ January 26, 2026 5:23 pm