Binance founder CZ’s presidential pardon is not an acquittal

Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao's presidential pardon cements criminal conviction without overturning guilt, opening civil liability floodgates while foreclosing appeal options permanently.

Opinion by: Joshua Chu, co-chair of the Hong Kong Web3 Association

US President Donald Trump’s recent pardon of Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhou has grabbed headlines. Some commentators hail the move as a way to “clear CZ’s record and allow him to return to the industry” — but this misses the point that a presidential pardon is not an erasure of guilt. 

Judicial powers are, after all, only conferred upon the judiciary. Only a sitting judge holds the power and authority to overturn a conviction, acquit and restore innocence. 

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