After spending four months in a U.S. prison, Changpeng Zhao (CZ) returned to the UAE, retaining his controlling stake in Binance and a multibillion-dollar fortune. In a report published on October 1, his net worth is estimated at around $114 billion, while Zhao himself claims the real figure is $10–30 billion.

UAE Citizenship and No Extradition

He obtained UAE citizenship amid the U.S. investigation into Binance. There is no extradition treaty between the UAE and the U.S., and the report states that Zhao considered staying in the UAE and not returning to the U.S. Ultimately, he reached a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice.

MGX Invests $2 Billion at Binance Valuation of Around $75 Billion

Later, the Emirati fund MGX invested $2 billion in Binance. According to one of the report's sources, the deal valued the exchange at approximately $75 billion.

Settlement via USD1 and World Liberty Revenue of $799 Million in 2025

The MGX-Binance transaction was settled through USD1, a stablecoin from World Liberty Financial, which is linked to the family of Donald Trump. The $2 billion transaction immediately placed USD1 among the largest stablecoins. In 2025, World Liberty generated $799 million for Trump, making it his most profitable asset.

Pardon in 2025 and $2.1 Million in Lobbying

At the same time, Binance paid $2.1 million to a lobbying firm close to Trump's circle; its services included lobbying for a presidential pardon and other forms of sentence reduction. In October 2025, Trump did pardon Zhao. Critics describe this sequence as a conflict of interest and possible corruption; the report does not provide direct evidence of a "USD1 for pardon" deal. Binance, World Liberty, and the White House deny any connection.

CZ has now effectively become a "crypto diplomat": meeting with presidents and senior officials and advising governments on cryptocurrencies and regulation, especially in the UAE. Officially, he no longer manages Binance but remains closely connected to the exchange.