A lot of people are betting on Donald Trump pardoning Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance. A prediction market on Polymarket shows CZ as the frontrunner.
CZ Leads the Pardon Pack
Polymarket, a site where people bet on future events, has a poll asking who Trump might pardon in 2025. CZ is way ahead, with 36% of the bets. That’s a significant lead, showing a lot of people think he’ll get a pardon. It’s important to remember this is just speculation based on what people think might happen, not any inside information. These prediction markets can change quickly based on new news.
Other names in the running include Congressman George Santos and entrepreneur Roger Ver (both at 10%), along with Steve Bannon, Rudy Giuliani, and even Sean “Diddy” Combs.
CZ’s Legal Troubles and Pardon Push
CZ pleaded guilty to failing to have a good anti-money laundering program at Binance in November 2023. This led to him stepping down as CEO. Interestingly, he’s publicly hinted at the possibility of a pardon, even saying he’s officially applied for one.
Political Heat
This hasn’t gone unnoticed. Key Democratic senators, led by Elizabeth Warren, wrote to the White House expressing concern. They’re particularly worried about a $2 billion deal Binance made with other companies, involving a new stablecoin. They see this deal, along with the pardon request, as potentially problematic.
Betting Doesn’t Mean Pardoned
It’s crucial to remember that these bets are just speculation. While Polymarket’s poll shows CZ is a popular choice for a pardon, it doesn’t mean he’ll actually get one. Presidential pardons are complex political decisions. The betting data shows what people are thinking, but it doesn’t dictate the White House’s actions.