Did Binance Founder CZ Just Say Trump Is Satoshi Nakamoto?
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, has once again captured the crypto world’s attention — this time with a single tweet that blended humor, admiration, and controversy.
“President Trump said he believes he hasn’t met me yet, which is true. Would be my honor to some day. 🙏 President Trump and Satoshi. Might be the same person. 🤷♂️,” he wrote on X.
The lighthearted comment instantly went viral, with thousands of reposts and debates erupting across X (formerly Twitter). While most saw it as CZ’s trademark wit, others noted the timing — coming just days after his historic presidential pardon.
A Tweet That Blends Politics, Crypto, and Myth
CZ’s post draws an unexpected link between two of the most influential — and polarizing — figures in their respective worlds: Donald Trump, the first sitting U.S. president to issue a crypto-related pardon, and Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin’s elusive creator.
By suggesting the two “might be the same person,” CZ wasn’t making a serious claim, but rather commenting on the growing overlap between crypto and politics. Still, it showed how digital assets — once considered fringe — have now become part of the political mainstream.
From Conviction to Clemency
The tweet also follows one of the most dramatic turnarounds in crypto history.
On Oct. 23, 2025, President Trump granted CZ a full presidential pardon, wiping away the legal consequences of his 2023 conviction for violating U.S. anti-money-laundering and Bank Secrecy Act requirements.
Although the pardon relieved CZ of penalties and restored his freedom, it did not erase the original conviction. As part of the 2023 plea deal, Binance paid more than $4.3 billion in fines — one of the largest corporate settlements in U.S. financial history. CZ served four months in prison before being released in late 2024.
The decision, described by analysts as one of the most consequential acts of clemency in the crypto era, immediately sparked debate over fairness, regulation, and influence.
Market and Industry Response
The crypto market reacted almost instantly to Trump’s decision.
Binance’s native token BNB surged sharply in the hours following the announcement, reflecting renewed confidence among traders and speculators that regulatory hostility toward crypto might be easing.
BNB price performance over the past week (Source: CoinMarketCap)
Industry leaders called the pardon “a turning point” — signaling what some interpret as a more open stance from Washington toward digital assets.
Others, however, saw it as a troubling precedent that might blur the line between political favor and regulatory enforcement.
Critics Warn of Conflicts and Double Standards
Not everyone celebrated the move.
Policy experts and legal analysts questioned whether the pardon could weaken accountability across the crypto sector. Some suggested a potential conflict of interest, citing links between Binance and Trump-affiliated ventures such as World Liberty Financial, a new digital-asset platform aligned with the administration’s pro-crypto agenda.
Critics also warned that the pardon could complicate the efforts of U.S. regulators seeking to maintain consistency in enforcement, especially after years of building credibility through landmark cases against major exchanges.
What Comes Next
With the legal chapter behind him, speculation is now turning toward CZ’s next move.
While restrictions or reputational hurdles could limit his immediate return to formal leadership, insiders believe he may soon take on advisory or investment roles within the broader Web3 space.
The pardon, meanwhile, could set a precedent — highlighting how crypto’s political influence is now strong enough to reach the Oval Office. Whether that brings more legitimacy or more scrutiny remains to be seen.
As for CZ, his latest tweet reminds the world that even after scandal and imprisonment, the “Binance Boss” still knows how to keep the industry talking.
