CZ on Trump's pardon: I am now a truly free person

On January 24th, CEX founder CZ stated in an interview with CNBC in Davos, “Being pardoned by Trump three months ago, I feel more free over the past three months. I think it’s more of a psychological change. It’s like a heavy burden has finally been lifted. I was actually free before, but I carried the identity of a serious criminal. But now I am truly a free person.” CZ openly admitted that his prison experience was very bad, “highly consistent” with portrayals in movies, including the strict physical examination on the day of incarceration. His first cellmate was a double murderer who had served about 12 years and still had 18 years to serve. He said he never expected to go to prison because, in American history, no one has ever been imprisoned solely for violating the Bank Secrecy Act; previous similar cases were often deferred prosecution agreements (DPA) or house arrest. He initially expected at most 6–12 months of house arrest and was surprised to actually go to prison. CZ stated that the pardon application was submitted through his lawyer, and the entire process was a “black box” to him, with the specific decision mechanism still unclear. He has never met Trump privately, only “saw him from a distance” at the Davos forum. Regarding the pardon, CZ expressed gratitude. At the same time, CZ stated that there is no connection between CEX and the Trump family.