As someone who has closely followed the cryptocurrency industry, I believe that Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder and former CEO of Binance, has shown remorse for his past mistakes and is genuinely seeking a second chance. His public apology and acknowledgment of responsibility are commendable, especially given the significant consequences he now faces.


As an outside observer, I’ve noticed that Changpeng Zhao, the founder and former CEO of Binance, has issued a public apology for mistakes he made in the past. He acknowledges these errors as “poor decisions” and assumes complete accountability for their consequences.

He Yi, a co-founder of Binance, acknowledged that CZ might have committed errors but identified his most significant mistake as being uninformed.

CZ Issues Apology and Appeals for Second Chance

As an observer, I can report that Changpeng Zhao (CZ) is set for sentencing by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on April 30, 2024, following his agreement to settle charges in November 2023. The DOJ has proposed a sentence duration of 36 months, despite CZ having relinquished the possibility of appealing any penalty up to 18 months prior.

In a letter to Judge Richard A. Jones of the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, dated April 24th, Zhao admitted past mistakes. He underlined the importance of promptly enforcing compliance adjustments at Binance and emphasized the subsequent installation of rigorous measures during his time in charge.

CZ reiterated his willingness to relinquish control and assume accountability in the current legal proceedings, demonstrating a strong intent to bring the matter before the court to a conclusion, enabling him to explore fresh prospects.

As an observer, I’ve noticed that the Binance co-founder humbly asked for a second chance during his recent appeal. He recounted his unique journey of sticking to simplicity and integrity throughout his career, even after experiencing failed startup ventures. In response, he returned investors’ funds. Furthermore, from my perspective as an analyst, I can see that his interest in cryptocurrency stems from a deeply held belief in inclusivity and equal opportunities. His future plans include extending support to small biotech labs and youth-centric initiatives.

Binance Co-founder Says CZ’s Mistake Was Ignorance

Binance’s co-founder He Yi, who is also the mother of CZ’s three children, has described him as the protector of the cryptocurrency sector, drawing comparisons to the lawless Wild West. Being a startup without an impressive heritage, she admitted that her team, which included herself, was deficient in legal knowledge. The exception to this was CZ, who was fluent in English, unlike most other team members.

Although they had minimal experience and legal understanding, CZ and Binance gained the trust of users through their commitment to fairness, integrity, and accountability within the industry. However, they made errors in the process. Regardless, both Binance and CZ have faced the repercussions.

As an outside observer or analyst, I note that in Zhao’s plea for leniency, there are references to his loved ones. Specifically mentioned are his spouse and their two children who study in American universities, as well as his sister, a former high-ranking executive at Morgan Stanley.

Jessica Zhao, his sibling, conceded that CZ had made mistakes but commended his strong sense of altruism. She brought up the controversy with FTX and emphasized CZ’s unwavering dedication to preserving Binance’s reputation by avoiding the misuse of customer resources.

Significantly, Binance resolved accusations of violating U.S. anti-money-laundering regulations and sanctions towards the end of last year. The consequences included penalties totaling $4.3 billion and the implementation of regulatory supervision.

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2024-04-26 00:18