- Several high-profile cryptocurrency figures are seeking or have received presidential pardons from Donald Trump.
- Notable individuals making requests or receiving pardons include Changpeng Zhao, Sam Bankman-Fried, Roger Ver, and Joby Weeks.
- The efforts range from official legal petitions to public appeals and reported lobbying through presidential confidants.
President Donald Trump has issued pardons to several prominent figures in the crypto industry, with others currently seeking similar relief. The pardons, as well as ongoing campaigns, highlight a surge of hope among convicted or accused crypto founders aiming for clemency amid a more favorable policy environment.
Shortly after beginning his term, Trump fulfilled a campaign pledge by pardoning Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road, who had spent over a decade in prison for money laundering and drug-related charges. Two months later, he extended pardons to Bitmex co-founders Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo, Samuel Reed, former employee Gregory Dwyer, and even the company itself, as reported by Reuters and The Hill.
Now, other prominent names in crypto are seeking similar relief. Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, former CEO of Binance, stated in an interview with Rug Radio that lawyers had applied for a pardon on his behalf, denying rumors of bartering company equity for clemency. “There’s a lot of news articles saying I’m trying to exchange Binance.US equity for a pardon. That’s completely not true. I’ve had zero discussions about Binance.US equity with anyone,” Zhao said. He explained that his team chose the legal route for the application, following media speculation.
Sam Bankman-Fried, co-founder of FTX, is also reported to be seeking a pardon after being sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges of fraud and conspiracy. Bloomberg reported that his parents, both Stanford Law professors, are reaching out to those close to Trump in hopes of securing their son’s release, while Bankman-Fried appeals his conviction.
Another public appeal came from Roger “Bitcoin Jesus” Ver, who in January posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) directly pleading for Trump’s pardon while fighting extradition related to tax evasion charges totaling nearly $50 million. Since renouncing his U.S. citizenship, Ver’s eligibility remains uncertain. According to reports, he paid Trump adviser Roger Stone $600,000 for help lobbying against an “exit tax” tied to his case.
Joby Weeks, connected to the BitClub Ponzi scheme, also appeared to signal interest in a potential pardon following his 2020 guilty plea for conspiracy involving unregistered securities that cost investors $722 million. In comments to Politico in March, he stated, “It would be great to have Trump step in.” Weeks switched up his legal tactics, now representing himself while pursuing a case dismissal.
These efforts reflect the shifting legal and political landscape around cryptocurrency enforcement under Trump’s administration.
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