In a surprising move, former President Trump granted a pardon to Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, who previously pleaded guilty to a money laundering-related charge. This decision has ignited a wave of criticism from various political figures, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Maxine Waters, with accusations of favoritism towards wealthy individuals and concerns over the implications for white-collar crime. Supporters of Trump have also expressed mixed feelings, with one prominent backer arguing that the pardon exemplifies significant fraud. Zhao, now free, has vowed to help make America a leader in the crypto industry, sparking discussions about the future of digital assets in the U.S.