Changpeng Zhao Refutes Senator Warren Over False Allegations

CZ said he was never charged with money laundering despite Warren’s remarks.
Senator Warren called Trump’s pardon of CZ “corruption” in her public post.
CZ accused Warren of misrepresenting facts and targeting the crypto sector.
BNB price jumped 5% to $1,130 after CZ’s response and Trump’s pardon news.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has responded to recent comments from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who accused him of fraud and money laundering following his presidential pardon. Zhao denied the allegations, saying he was never charged with money laundering and criticized the Senator for spreading false information. The exchange has sparked fresh debate about political hostility toward the crypto sector in Washington.

Senator Warren Criticizes Trump’s Pardon for CZ

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After President Donald Trump announced a full pardon for Zhao, Senator Warren called the move “corruption” in a public post. The Senator wrote on X that Zhao “pleaded guilty to a criminal money laundering charge and was sentenced to prison” before receiving a pardon. She also claimed Zhao financed Trump’s stablecoin project and lobbied for clemency.

Warren urged Congress to “stop this kind of corruption,” calling it a threat to government integrity. Her comments followed Trump’s announcement that Zhao’s actions “were not even a crime,” adding that the decision came “at the request of a lot of good people.” The pardon relieved Zhao from pending penalties linked to alleged banking violations brought under the previous administration.

Zhao Denies Allegations of Money Laundering

Changpeng Zhao quickly responded on X, stating that the Senator’s claims were inaccurate. He said he was never charged with money laundering and urged Warren to review official records before making such public statements. “No money laundering charges were ever filed against me,” Zhao wrote, accusing the lawmaker of misrepresenting his legal case.

Zhao added that Warren had declared “war on crypto” during a televised interview just five days before his sentencing. He suggested that her recent remarks are part of a broader pattern of political targeting of the crypto industry. “This is about weaponizing the DOJ against crypto,” Zhao said in response to the renewed criticism.

The confrontation marks one of the most direct exchanges between a prominent U.S. lawmaker and a major figure in the digital asset sector. It comes as regulatory tensions over crypto enforcement continue to rise in the United States.

Crypto Community Reacts to the Exchange

The crypto community responded actively to the exchange between Zhao and Senator Warren. Many users on social platforms defended Zhao, calling for accurate representation of the case details. Others argued that the Senator’s comments reflected a continuing bias against the crypto industry.

Some industry analysts noted that Zhao’s public response aimed to correct misinformation while reinforcing his stance on fair legal treatment for crypto leaders. The pardon, granted by President Trump, has been viewed as a turning point for Zhao, who faced strict legal scrutiny since his 2023 case involving Binance’s U.S. operations.

BNB Token Rises Following the News

Following the news of Zhao’s pardon and his public statements, Binance Coin (BNB) saw a notable price increase. As of press time, BNB was trading near $1,130, up 5% in 24 hours. Market data shows trading volume rising by 61% to $5.74 billion, suggesting stronger interest from traders.

BNB has already more than doubled in value in 2025, rebounding from its earlier low of $532. Analysts observed that Zhao’s renewed visibility and market optimism around Binance’s stability contributed to the token’s upward movement. As discussions continue around the pardon and Warren’s remarks, investor attention remains focused on future regulatory actions affecting Binance and the broader crypto industry.

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