Binance CEO Shuts Down Trump Deal Rumors Amid Crypto Politics
The Buzz Around Binance and Trump—What’s Going On?
In the fast-moving world of cryptocurrency, rumors can spread like wildfire. The latest? Allegations that Binance.US was in talks with business entities tied to former U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Binance CEO Richard Teng has strongly denied these reports at the 2025 Digital Asset Summit in New York.
Let’s dive into what’s really happening and why this matters.
Debunking the Talk: Teng Clears the Air
During the panel discussion on March 18, Teng firmly dismissed reports that Binance.US—an independently-operated US-based crypto exchange—was exploring an equity deal with Trump-affiliated businesses, including World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance (DeFi) project backed by the Trump family.
His response aligns with previous denials from both Binance’s founder, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, and Trump himself.
“I believe both World Liberty Financial as well as CZ himself have tweeted and denied the rumors, right? So there’s really nothing else to add,” Teng stated.
Richard Teng speaking at Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit in New York. Source: Cointelegraph
Binance.US vs. Binance Global—A Key Distinction
Teng emphasized that Binance.US operates separately from Binance’s global entity.
“US and dotcom are quite different animals, right? They have different sets of shareholders, they have different boards of directors, and different CEOs running the show.”
This distinction is key because Binance.US functions under a different regulatory and operational structure than its globally dominant counterpart.
Trump’s Crypto Stance: A Boon for the Industry?
While Teng denied business dealings between Binance.US and Trump-affiliated entities, he did acknowledge that Trump’s pro-crypto stance has helped Binance indirectly.
“With President Trump coming out with both [a] strategic crypto reserve or asset stockpile, it will force governments around the world […] to look at this space quite seriously.”
Trump’s shift in tone toward crypto marks a significant contrast from the regulatory environment under President Joe Biden. With Trump aiming to position the U.S. as a “world crypto capital,” industry players are watching closely to see how these policies unfold.
Source: CZ
Could There Be Conflicts of Interest?
The Wall Street Journal report, citing unnamed sources, suggested that CZ—who recently served four months in U.S. prison—was seeking a presidential pardon from Trump’s administration.
“It is unclear what form the Trump family stake would take if the deal comes together or whether it would be contingent on a pardon,” the report speculated.
It’s worth noting that CZ swiftly denied any such deal in a post on X, the same day the report surfaced. Trump himself echoed this rejection on Truth Social, blaming “Globalist” media for spreading misinformation.
Meanwhile, analysts continue to raise concerns over Trump’s crypto involvement, particularly following the launch of his memecoin and reported ties to World Liberty Financial.
What’s Next for Binance and U.S. Crypto Policy?
The Biden administration has historically taken a cautious stance towards crypto, whereas Trump’s rhetoric has leaned heavily towards fostering industry growth. Whether this translates to tangible policy changes remains to be seen.
As Binance battles regulatory scrutiny while maintaining its dominance in the crypto market, and with Trump’s growing embrace of digital assets, the intersection of politics and crypto is becoming increasingly intertwined.
One thing is clear: the world of crypto will always keep us on our toes.
Related:
Donald Trump’s Memecoin Generated $350M for Creators: Report
Trump’s Crypto Ventures Raise Conflict of Interest, Insider Trading Questions
