Changpeng Zhao confirmed he will not return to Binance even after receiving a presidential pardon, citing personal choice and leadership transition, while also predicting a strong Bitcoin rally in 2026 driven by global crypto momentum and supportive US policies.
Changpeng Zhao ruled out any comeback to Binance, stating he no longer sees the need to return. He told CNBC’s Squawk Box that the pardon from President Trump lifted restrictions, but he remains detached from operations.
A candid conversation from Davos – on prison, pardon, and what freedom means going forward.
Full interview on @CNBC with @andrewrsorkin. Focused on building what’s next. pic.twitter.com/x94llJFac2
— CZ
BNB (@cz_binance) January 25, 2026
Zhao explained, “I haven’t really needed to go back. I didn’t really want to.” He said stepping down was painful initially but believes it allowed fresh leadership to grow.
He emphasized Binance’s resilience, adding, “They don’t need a backseat driver today. I’m still a shareholder, just a passive one.”
Zhao now communicates suggestions to the team through social media posts instead of direct involvement.
Binance’s current leadership includes Richard Teng and Yi He, both described as capable by Zhao. He said they’ve driven user growth and maintained strong operations since his departure.
In November 2023, Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to implement an effective anti-money laundering program. He later received a four-month prison sentence and was barred from working at Binance.
President Donald Trump granted him a pardon in October, which removed previous legal restrictions on involvement. However, Zhao said the decision to stay away was voluntary and based on personal reflection.
“It was a pretty good way for me to step down after seven years,” Zhao told CNBC. Though some lawmakers raised concerns over the pardon, Trump said he did not know who Zhao was.
Despite the legal resolution, Zhao made it clear that his professional chapter at Binance is closed. He said it is better to let others grow in leadership roles and guide the company forward.
Binance reported that its user base grew to over 300 million in 2023 under the current leadership.
The company also recorded $34 trillion in trading volume, according to a year-end open letter.
Zhao believes Bitcoin may break its traditional four-year cycle and enter a supercycle by 2026. He said global support for crypto, especially from the US, may drive stronger and longer growth.
“Normally, Bitcoin follows four-year cycles,” Zhao explained, referring to all-time highs followed by declines. However, he now thinks the pattern might shift due to broader market adoption and regulatory clarity.
He expects the current climate to fuel outsized Bitcoin performance and sustained bullish trends. According to Zhao, these conditions point toward what may be a rare supercycle in crypto.
The post Changpeng Zhao Rules Out Return to Binance After Trump Pardon appeared first on CoinCentral.
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