CZ’s Presidential Pardon Followed Costly Binance Lobbying Blitz in Washington: Politico Analysis
The recent news that US President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao is making major waves across the crypto news and blockchain technology sphere. According to a Politico investigation and multiple industry sources, the pardon came on the heels of an aggressive and high-priced lobbying push by Binance and CZ, which highlights the growing intersection between cryptocurrency, politics, and Capitol Hill’s influence game.
$740K and Strategic DC Hires: Inside Binance’s Lobbying Campaign
The financial details reveal the scale of the lobbying operation. In late September 2025, Binance brought on Ches McDowell, a lobbyist closely tied to Donald Trump Jr. and head of Checkmate Government Relations—to seek “executive relief” for CZ and target the White House and Treasury Department. Binance reportedly paid Checkmate $450,000 for a single month’s work. At the same time, Binance and CZ hired Teresa Goody Guillén, a seasoned crypto lawyer and former SEC chair contender under Trump, whose firm received $290,000 in payments for advice and advocacy throughout the year.
This aggressive campaign was part of a larger 2025 lobbying surge: figures suggest Binance’s overall lobbying bill in Washington this year topped $860,000, while expanding ties to ventures closely linked to Trump’s political and crypto network. This strategic influence included new partnerships, like the deal with Trump-associated World Liberty Financial, meant to deepen Binance’s foothold within US power circles.
Trump Administration’s Crypto Pur Stance and Democratic Criticism
President Trump defended the pardon by arguing that CZ was “persecuted by the Biden administration,” stating that his violations of the Bank Secrecy Act were not truly criminal conduct, an argument echoed by other prominent figures in the pro-crypto camp. In contrast, prominent Democrats such as Representative Maxine Waters sharply criticized the move, describing it as a “massive favor for crypto criminals” and an example of “corruption and self-interest” over upholding regulatory norms.
Waters and others claim Binance funneled millions into Trump-linked ventures and point to the months-long lobbying blitz as evidence that decisions were swayed by financial interests. The rhetoric on both sides highlights the complex and growing entanglement between crypto pur business interests and US political influence.
Broader Implications for Blockchain Technology and Regulatory Policy
This lobbying blitz, culminating in CZ’s highly-publicized pardon, sets a precedent for how influential blockchain companies may navigate future legal and regulatory threats in the United States. The rapid increase in lobbying spend and strategic hires suggest a trend where major crypto firms are willing to deploy substantial resources to secure favorable outcomes, shaping both regulatory approaches and executive actions.
For the crypto news and crypto pur ecosystem, this episode not only spotlights the financial stakes involved in blockchain governance but also raises questions about transparency, ethics, and the balance of power as digital assets become an increasingly central force in American and global finance.
Conclusion:
Binance’s successful $740,000+ lobbying campaign ahead of CZ’s presidential pardon underscores how deeply intertwined the fates of major blockchain technology firms and Washington politics have become. As the crypto sector matures, further examples of policy-shaping through advocacy—and the scrutiny that follows are only likely to intensify.