The Return of CZ: From Federal Prison to Mar-a-Lago Lounge

In what many describe as one of the most astonishing parabolas in the history of modern finance, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance, returned to the United States this week. His appearance at the cryptocurrency summit hosted at Mar-a-Lago by the Trump family was not just a business meeting, but a powerful symbolic signal: the legal chapter that nearly destroyed his career seems to be finally closed.

A Blazing Rehabilitation

Just a few months ago, Zhao's reality was one of federal cells and legal restrictions. After pleading guilty in 2023 to anti-money laundering violations and serving a four-month sentence, CZ's future in the US appeared doomed. However, the decisive turning point came in October 2025, when Zhao received a full presidential pardon, a move that removed all barriers to his travel and business activities in the country.

During the event, CZ was appeared at ease, hobnobbing with prominent figures such as Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. Far from being a pariah, Zhao participated in technical panels, including one with newly elected CFTC chairman Michael Selig. "I learned a lot," CZ commented, preferring to emphasise policy and regulatory insights rather than the partisan implications of his presence.

A Parterre from "Who's Who" of finance

The atmosphere at Mar-a-Lago was described as a mix between a high-level summit and an elite social event. Among those in attendance were names rarely seen in the same space:

• David Solomon, CEO of Goldman Sachs;
• Lynn Martin, Chairman of the NYSE;
• Brian Armstrong, founder of Coinbase;
• Kevin O'Leary, renowned investor;
• Even rap star Nicki Minaj.

This convergence underscores how the barriers between traditional finance (TradFi), politics and the crypto world are collapsing, with Zhao firmly positioned at the centre of the global conversation.

The Shadow of the Stablecoin USD1

While CZ reconstructs its influence, the spotlight shifts to Binance's role in the ecosystem of World Liberty Financial (WLFI), the crypto project linked to the Trump family. Central to the strategy is the USD1 stablecoin, which has already reached a circulating supply of $5.4 billion.

87% of USD1's circulating supply is on Binance, has declared 0xMarioNawfal on X

The data speak for themselves: Binance controls about 85-87% of the total USD1 supply. This unprecedented concentration has raised questions among regulators and independent observers about potential conflicts of interest. Although Zhao dismissed these concerns as "not news," the symbiosis between the exchange and the politically motivated stablecoin is evident.

To further cement this bond, Binance has announced a massive incentive campaign: from 20 February to 20 March, the exchange will distribute 235 million WLFI tokens to USD1 holders, rewarding users who provide liquidity to the system.

Towards a New Digital Order

World Liberty Financial leaders presented USD1 not only as an asset, but as the pillar of a 'new digital Bretton Woods system', capable of integrating real estate, banking and decentralised finance (DeFi). The summit also anticipated the launch of tokenized investment products linked to Trump-branded luxury resorts.

The @Binance campaign for USD1 has been extended! 235 million $WLFI will be distributed to USD1 holders from 20 February to 20 March (UTC), as stated by WLFI's official page.

Although Binance remains technically barred from direct operations in the United States due to the 2023 agreement, the return of CZ to power circles suggests a paradigm shift. His ability to converse with political leaders and lobbying veterans such as Armstrong indicates that, despite his judicial past, his influence on the future of digital assets has far from vanished.