Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) continues to make headlines following the controversy around his presidential pardon. Recently, CZ said that if the $4.3 billion fine he paid to U.S. regulators were ever refunded, he would reinvest the entire amount back into America as a “gesture of gratitude.” He emphasized that he has never requested a refund but believes fairness in regulatory actions matters.
Amid this renewed attention, rumors began circulating that CZ might be planning a return to Binance. However, his personal lawyer, Teresa Goody Guillén, made it clear during an interview on The Pomp Podcast that CZ has no plans to return to the exchange. She noted that while the settlement helped repair part of his reputation, both CZ and Binance suffered “substantial damage” throughout the years-long legal battle.
Binance Still Under Tight U.S. Monitoring
Guillén also revealed that despite Binance fully exiting the U.S. market and serving zero American customers, the company remains under strict oversight from U.S. agencies. The Department of Justice (DOJ), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and compliance monitors appointed through the Treasury’s FinCEN are continuing to supervise Binance’s systems.
According to her, Binance is effectively operating “under surveillance,” meaning that every major compliance decision is watched closely. This level of monitoring is expected to continue for years, even though the exchange no longer has any operations tied to the United States.
Compliance Burdens Remain Even After Settlement
Guillén noted that this arrangement itself is an unusual scenario as an offshore exchange without U.S. customers is still being heavily supervised by American regulators. She suggested this may ultimately weaken the United States’ influence in the global crypto economy. While the U.S. keeps Binance under tight control, other countries continue welcoming large exchanges and building friendly regulatory frameworks, potentially drawing innovation and liquidity away from American markets.
She further added that the U.S. may unintentionally be “shooting itself in the foot” by restricting global platforms so aggressively that they operate everywhere except within American borders.
Financial and Reputational Damage Still Lingering
Guillén acknowledged that the case has been costly for both CZ and Binance. The restructuring, penalties, and ongoing monitoring have reshaped the company’s global operations. CZ remains optimistic but is stepping back from leadership to let the firm rebuild under stricter compliance expectations.
WLFI and Political Scrutiny Add Further Pressure
The situation is further complicated by reports connecting Binance to World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a crypto company tied to Donald Trump and his family. Some reports suggested that Binance had contributed to the development of WLFI’s USD1 stablecoin, a claim CZ has strongly denied, even threatening legal action.
Additionally, a UAE investment group reportedly used USD1 stablecoins to inject $2 billion into Binance, adding another political layer to the controversy. Binance had previously promoted USD1 on PancakeSwap, which operates on BNB Chain, raising questions about the company’s deeper connections.
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FAQs
No, CZ has no plans to return to Binance, focusing instead on rebuilding his reputation and overseeing compliance from a distance.
Even without U.S. customers, Binance remains monitored by the DOJ, CFTC, and FinCEN-appointed compliance monitors.
Heavy U.S. oversight may weaken U.S. influence, as other countries attract exchanges with friendlier crypto regulations.
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