Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, Binance’s founder, said Binance.US could pursue deeper integration with U.S. banks or even seek a full banking license under a crypto-friendly regulatory regime associated with President Donald Trump. Zhao’s remarks were delivered at a crypto conference hosted by World Liberty Financial, a venture linked to Trump, marking his most high-profile U.S. appearance since Trump’s pardon.
The comment comes as Binance.US has faced obstacles to banking access after Zhao and Binance pled guilty to violating anti-money-laundering laws in 2023, and as the SEC filed a case alleging Binance and Zhao illegally served U.S. users, which the SEC later dropped in May. Democratic lawmakers have questioned Zhao’s ties to World Liberty Financial and Trump as potential conflicts of interest.
The episodes underscore ongoing regulatory and banking-access challenges Binance.US faces in the United States. They also reflect the broader regulatory ambiguity surrounding crypto firms seeking U.S. banking relationships.
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