Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao attended a high-profile cryptocurrency convention at Mar-a-Lago this week, his first U.S. visit since receiving a presidential pardon. The event, hosted by the Trump family-backed World Liberty Financial, featured prominent financial figures and outlined ambitious plans for a new digital financial system.
Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) returned to the United States for the first time since his 2024 prison release. He attended a 500-person convention at Mar-a-Lago in Florida hosted by World Liberty Financial.
The gathering included Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, NYSE president Lynn Martin, and Coinbase founder Brian Armstrong. Zhao posted on X during the event, sharing a photo and writing, “Learned a lot.”
Zhao pleaded guilty in 2023 to charges related to anti-money-laundering violations at his exchange. He was sentenced to four months in prison and received a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump in October 2025.
During a recent podcast interview, Zhao stated he “didn’t do anything” to secure the clemency. He noted the pardon could aid the exchange’s efforts to return to the U.S. market.
World Liberty CEO Zach Witkoff described the company’s goal as creating a “new digital Bretton Woods system.” The firm promoted its stablecoin, USD1, and plans to sell digital tokens tied to a Trump resort project.
Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, co-founders of the firm, also spoke at the event. Eric Trump compared it to the World Economic Forum, stating it offered “better hospitality, better food, better weather, better group of people, less wokeness.”
Several Trump administration officials attended, including Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Michael Selig. The sons also addressed a $500 million deal with an Abu Dhabi royal, calling it standard for global finance.
