Changpeng Zhao (CZ)

Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, has faced significant legal scrutiny related to his leadership of the exchange. In November 2023, he pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of violating the Bank Secrecy Act by failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program. As part of a settlement, he stepped down as CEO and was personally fined $50 million. In April 2024, he was sentenced to four months in prison, which he completed by September 2024. In October 2025, he received a full and unconditional presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Previously, the SEC filed 13 charges against Zhao and Binance in June 2023, alleging the operation of unregistered exchanges, securities law violations, and the commingling of customer assets. Additionally, the CFTC sued Zhao and Binance in March 2023, alleging willful evasion of U.S. law and failure to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. In November 2024, FTX filed a separate civil lawsuit against Zhao, seeking to recover nearly $1.8 billion in allegedly fraudulent transfers from a 2021 stock repurchase.