Changpeng Zhao: How he is redefining his influence in the crypto industry after the political shift

Changpeng Zhao continues to remain one of the most discussed figures in the crypto industry, despite significant changes in his life over the past two years. After officially stepping down as CEO of Binance in 2023 and subsequent imprisonment for violating the Federal Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), the career trajectory of the crypto leader took an unexpected turn.

However, the most significant event of 2025 was the pardon granted by U.S. President Donald Trump. Changpeng Zhao expressed deep gratitude, noting the head of state’s commitment to principles of justice and innovation. Interestingly, Trump later stated that he was not fully aware of the identity of the crypto leader, although he characterized him as “a victim of political persecution by the government apparatus.”

From Criminal Record to Pardon: Political Turn Reinforces Position

The unusual turn in Changpeng Zhao’s fate not only restored his reputation in certain circles but also virtually did not interrupt his activity on social media. The crypto leader continues to comment on industry trends, express opinions on the global adoption of digital assets, and analyze ecosystem development. His online publications attract significant attention from the professional community.

Notably, in 2025, Changpeng Zhao took an unusual step for himself—publicly revealing information about his investment position. This involved a personal investment of $1.8 million in the crypto project ASTER, which is the native token of a derivative exchange operating on the BNB Chain blockchain.

ASTER and Market Influence: How Changpeng Zhao’s Word Affects Quotes

This move by the crypto leader had an immediate market impact. The price of the ASTER token, which was quoted at $0.90 before the public announcement, rose to $1.08 as a result of the attention attracted by Changpeng Zhao’s publication. This episode vividly demonstrated the enduring market influence of the former Binance executive.

At the time of writing this material (2026), the price of ASTER has corrected to $0.53, reflecting natural market volatility of digital assets and changes in the project’s fundamental factors. Nevertheless, the episode with ASTER confirmed that Changpeng Zhao’s voice continues to exert significant influence on market behavior.

YZi Labs and Billion-Dollar Investments: A New Dimension of Influence

2025 was also marked by the expansion of the crypto leader’s role in investment activities. Changpeng Zhao strengthened his presence in YZi Labs — Binance’s venture division, previously known as Binance Labs. According to the latest available data, this investment fund manages approximately $10 billion in capital.

The YZi Labs portfolio includes investments in over 250 companies and startups operating across various segments of the crypto industry. This allows Changpeng Zhao to influence not only current industry trends but also its future development through funding promising projects.

Political Context and Redefining Influence

The pardon from President Trump, received in early 2025, essentially redefined Changpeng Zhao’s position in the crypto industry. Although his official departure from the exchange he founded seemed to diminish his influence, the actual result was the opposite.

A combination of political rehabilitation, maintained authority in investment circles, and active social media presence has made Changpeng Zhao one of the key figures shaping the narrative of the cryptocurrency industry’s development. His position as an investor and strategist apparently even surpasses his previous role as an executive leader in terms of influence.

The crypto industry continues to evolve, and the activities of individuals like Changpeng Zhao demonstrate that power and influence in the sector are taking new forms beyond corporate titles and official positions.