Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, has returned to the United States for the first time since serving his prison sentence. He attended a crypto summit hosted by World Liberty Financial (WLFI) at the residence of Donald Trump.

The visit marks a symbolic moment for one of the most influential figures in the crypto industry.

Previously:

• Binance admitted regulatory violations in the United States
• The exchange paid $3.4 billion in fines
• CZ personally paid $50 million
• He served four months in prison
• In 2025, CZ reportedly received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump

The case was one of the largest enforcement actions in crypto history and reshaped regulatory expectations for global exchanges.

Media outlets have reported potential links between World Liberty Financial and Binance in connection with the launch of a stablecoin called USD1.

However:

• Both sides have denied any formal partnership
• No confirmed structural collaboration has been disclosed

Still, CZ’s presence at the event is likely to fuel further speculation.

The summit reportedly included:

• 🏦 Representatives of major banks
• 🏛 Regulators
• 📊 Large exchanges and financial institutions

This signals a continued convergence between traditional finance, politics, and crypto leadership.

CZ’s public reappearance in the US suggests:

• A potential softening of political tone toward crypto
• Increasing institutionalization of digital assets
• Growing overlap between crypto projects and political influence

For investors, the key takeaway is clear:

Crypto is no longer operating on the fringe — it is increasingly intertwined with Washington, Wall Street, and global power structures.

CZ’s return to the US and attendance at a high-profile Trump-linked crypto summit marks a notable shift in optics.

Regulatory battles may not be over — but the industry’s center of gravity is clearly moving toward political integration and institutional legitimacy.