Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, has been sentenced to 4 months in prison by Judge Richard Jones in a Seattle court, significantly less than the 3 years requested by the DOJ. Zhao had previously pleaded guilty to charges related to violating anti-money laundering laws and agreed to pay $50 million in fines. The DOJ's request for a harsher sentence was rejected due to lack of evidence that Zhao was aware of illegal activities at Binance. Over 160 letters from Zhao's friends, family, and colleagues were submitted in his defense, highlighting his character and impact on the cryptocurrency industry.
Wow, this might be this cycle’s EOS moment. Almost an undisputed win for CZ short of a miracle and also really undermines the credibility of recent DOJ/FinCEN actions after emphasizing their view that it was a den of wickedness and terrorism. https://t.co/byIZjn6giL
A huge win for CZ. Money does buy freedom. The US legal system is just a gigantic joke. https://t.co/Gz9vBpadGQ
So this is who CZ snitched on? https://t.co/kmhh8s3WUj
Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao, estimated to be worth around $43 billion, is the richest inmate to serve time in the U.S. (via @FortuneCrypto) https://t.co/hIoJoZRcfM
CZ SENTENCED TO JUST 4 MONTHS IN PRISON; EVADES 3 YEAR REQUESTED SENTENCE BY DOJ - Sentencing hearing took place in Seattle today with the DOJ arguing for a 3+ year sentence that would have been by far the longest sentence imposed on a crime of this type before - CZ's defense… https://t.co/FiFZrC2f2X https://t.co/XJlLkF0Za6
I win some Internet points, apparently. https://t.co/lcZeiwW7CJ
how many months CZ is going to jail for: (you cannot make this up. the most entertaining outcome is the most likely) https://t.co/q5FeGZ71GD
Wow. Actually 4. The simulation is real. https://t.co/GtBM5jwAJ1
oh great it's time for crypto twitter to flood the timeline with a million jokes about CZ being sentenced to exactly 4 months
CZ with the epic long play meme. Legend. https://t.co/vm5ghQuwgJ https://t.co/MRg3sZ7exm
Final @cz_binance sentencing narration continued: CZ GETS 4 MONTHS PROBATION!!! The irony! Judge again rejects 36 month request by DOJ "There needs to be an effort by this court to impose a sentence that's appropriate and reasonable" judge says. Judge says he won't follow 5… https://t.co/iZkhq9ZSyA
Final @cz_binance sentencing narration continued: Judge again rejects 36 month request by DOJ "There needs to be an effort by this court to impose a sentence that's appropriate and reasonable" judge says. Judge says he won't follow 5 month probation recommendation. Lands at… https://t.co/x1F4dl37FI
nikhileshde: " BREAKING: CZ SENTENCED TO 5 MONTHS IN PRISON" Source: Twitter | Coins: BNB https://t.co/niFCfH3ZQn
Livetweeting CZ's sentencing hearing. https://t.co/QlhAgjIkHX
The big debate - will the judge hold up 4 fingers to indicate 4 months probation for @cz_binance? 🤣
The big debate - will the judge hold up 4 fingers to indicate 4 monhts probation for @cz_binance? 🤣
What is under seal at CZ's sentencing hearing? My guess is it relates to Binance helping the US identify terror finance networks https://t.co/ww0qz3S89Z
Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of Binance could face years in prison when he is sentenced for his guilty plea to violating US money-laundering laws. Prosecutors want Zhao to serve twice the maximum 18 months recommended under federal guidelines https://t.co/Dwz06vfT5e https://t.co/Tj1POgQvyQ
🚨 BREAKING: Binance Founder CZ's sentencing hearing in Seattle will soon determine his fate. "There's no evidence that the defendant was ever informed" of illegal activity at Binance, Judge Richard Jones said as the hearing got underway, before saying he disagreed with the… https://t.co/sRS3yaCiBX
Binance founder and former CEO CZ soon will learn how much time, if any, he'll spend in prison. "There's no evidence that the defendant was ever informed" of illegal activity at Binance, Judge Richard Jones said in the Seattle courtroom. Stay tuned 👀 https://t.co/Utu26CggvG
Binance's founder will follow Bankman-Fried to prison—but their fates couldn't be more different. https://t.co/XeiQJ060Cq
Correction: Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program, and the company he founded admitted to unlicensed money transmitting and sanctions violations. Zhao's sentencing hearing continues. Coverage on KOMO-TV
CURRENT COURTROOM TAKEAWAYS: - US govt case seems weak, more of an attack on CZ rather than Binance - Judge is forcing the US govt to argue why double the recommended sentence is being requested - CZ's philanthropic impact has been a mark in his favor - Judge has praised CZ's… https://t.co/OAoO81Pumy
🚨 BREAKING 🚨 THE JUDGE IS VERY SKEPTICAL OF THE DOJ'S ARGUMENTS FOR A LONGER SENTENCE FOR CZ THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD FOR CZ
JUST IN: The judge remains skeptical of the DOJ's plea for a longer sentence for @cz_binance, pressing for specific legal precedents.
The hearing on the case of Changpeng Zhao, the former head of Binance, has begun - the prosecution is asking for up to 3 years in prison, the defense is seeking house arrest. Zhao previously pleaded guilty, agreed to pay $50 million in fines and voluntarily came to the court… https://t.co/aSaBVwBNfU
🚨 Judge Jones leans toward probation's 12-point sentence for CZ (10-16 months prison, 1-3 years supervision). Awaits arguments from DOJ, defense, and defendant before deciding, according to @nikhileshde
JUST IN: Judge Jones rejects DOJ's push for harsher sentence (18 months to 3 years) for @cz_binance, citing lack of evidence defendant knew of wrongdoing.
time to find out if $btc has turned into a short term prediction market for cz's sentencing
Binance's former CEO could be the richest US prison inmate ever if sentenced with his $43 billion fortune https://t.co/XTXi1Inqbi
Breaking: Judge Richard Jones said he does not agree with the DOJ's request for an enhancement to the sentencing guidelines that would push the sentence from 18 months to 3 years: There’s no evidence that the defendant (CZ) was ever informed of illegal activity. According…
🚨BREAKING: @BINANCE FOUNDER CZ'S SENTENCING HEARING HAS BEGUN
He pleaded guilty to crimes that potentially helped international terrorists, child abusers and drug traffickers, and on Tuesday Changpeng Zhao will be sentenced in a federal court in Seattle. https://t.co/3X1tB4v4gi
The lost art of legal analysis is alive and well in the capable hands of @Joanna_Focus... As we await the sentencing of @cz_binance check out her breakdown of what's next for @binance. Spoiler alert: it could sink the company in the US. For @DLNewsInfo https://t.co/eFK21STrtz
Judge Richard Jones has begun the sentencing at the federal courthouse in Seattle for Changpeng Zhao who pleaded guilty to anti-money laundering, unlicensed money transmitting and other crimes as the head of Binance, the world's largest crypto currency exchange. Story on KOMO-TV
Changpeng Zhao, the ‘normal guy’ who conquered crypto https://t.co/MXKp668Mop
TheVerge: Changpeng Zhao has entered the courtroom.He’s taking a seat with his legal team. Judge isn’t on the bench yet. CZ’s in a dark blue suit with a light blue tie, and he looks tense. Judge Richard A. Jones is attending to “a personal matter.” It will delayed until 9:30AM PT…
Live coverage of @cz_binance's sentencing hearing: DOJ aiming for 3 years in prison, defense advocating for house arrest and probation. Stay tuned for updates. 🧵
CZ Sentencing cont: CZ says he’s no worse than @BitMEX @CryptoHayes 👀 Zhao has already penned his heartfelt letter to Judge Richard Jones who will be determining the length and terms of his punishment. After Zhao chest-beat about his allegedly voluntary cooperation with…
If you're looking for live coverage of Binance founder CZ's sentencing: https://t.co/3jLmRuNO6g https://t.co/bkTzpWCR8U
LIVE FROM COURT: CZ has arrived in the Seattle courtroom where he'll soon be sentenced in the US case against Binance. He's wearing a light blue striped tie and navy suit. The courtroom gallery is nearly full.
Good morning folks. I'm in a Seattle courthouse today with @realDannyNelson covering @cz_binance's sentencing hearing. The DOJ's asked for 3 years in prison; defense has asked for house arrest and probation. Thread starts here https://t.co/JbBJSvQGSl
How likely is it that CZ will face jail time? I looked up the odds so you don't have to. https://t.co/mV4epZhNA3
Changpeng Zhao finds out today how long he will spend behind bars. The verdict will punctuate just one of the Binance’s legal battles. And it’s a preamble to potentially fiercer challenges ahead. The latest from myself and @Joanna_Focus. https://t.co/4lGxPsOsLT
From co-founder to convicted: CZ jail time caps years of Binance legal woes https://t.co/LEhxiUEkDo
Zhao pleaded guilty and stepped down as Binance CEO in November as the company agreed to pay $4.3 billion to settle related allegations. (via @FortuneCrypto) https://t.co/C6Cb3BmB0H
.@cz_binance's prison sentencing is today. The market thinks he'll get 6 months. I'll send $250 to whoever predicts the length of his sentence👇 https://t.co/cHcepIcOyv
.@cz_binance's prison sentencing is today. I'll send $250 to whoever predicts the length of his sentence👇 https://t.co/NDefGtrXEd
Prayers for @CZ_binance and the judge to take it easy on his sentencing today 🙏🙏
.@olgakharif @MuyaoShen @business cover today's sentencing of #CZ w/ @DennisKelleher explaining "The DOJ should have charged dozens of people connected to @binance and should have not only prosecuted them and punished them but barred them from the financial industry forever. If…
NEW: CZ is due in court today to face sentencing. Prosecutors say Zhao violated U.S. law on an “unprecedented scale,” showing a “deliberate disregard” for Binance’s legal responsibilities. Legal experts believe he is facing between 10 months to 3 years behind bars. https://t.co/2LaDBhjfoK
Crypto exchange Binance continues to thrive despite the numerous legal problems of its founder Changpeng Zhao https://t.co/mB4wsKfCVQ
Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng "CZ" Zhao will learn how much time, if any, he'll spend in prison today. https://t.co/mhflhiReI0 We asked you how much time you think CZ should get. Here's what you said 👇 https://t.co/U59Ys7FUtp https://t.co/5w7h6moxWS
Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao is set to appear before a federal judge in Seattle today. @nikhileshde @realDannyNelson report https://t.co/0riH8xWGPX
He will be sentenced to one to three years for turning a blind eye to money laundering at Binance. (via @FortuneCrypto) https://t.co/OZmHtUEqab
Punters pile into bets on length of CZ jail time — here are their wagers https://t.co/UJhV3GX8nT
Appreciate @Zachary @politico #MorningMoney sharing our views on the stakes for #CZ's sentencing today. There are real victims to @binance's crimes and the crimes it enabled. Today there needs to be true accountability. https://t.co/79KR9HqNJd https://t.co/kIIb5ogf5T
US seeks 3-year prison sentence for Binance founder over money laundering charges https://t.co/LsoS3e6bhh
Here's why @cz_binance should not be sentenced👇 - He admitted his mistakes and cooperated with the investigation. - @binance paid a fine of $4.3 billion. - CZ has embraced effective altruism through charity - He's a leader in the crypto space and his absence could hurt the… https://t.co/LTMdxpBVDw
Since pleading guilty in November 2023, Changpeng Zhao has networked across the US to set up his next act; sources say CZ and Sam Altman exchanged text messages (New York Times) https://t.co/zSO2n2GXYg 📫 Subscribe: https://t.co/OyWeKSRpIM https://t.co/diaeF1Dy2w
Binance's CEO Zhao faces sentencing over money laundering violations https://t.co/Pm8djrAUDw https://t.co/UTaAtSNmdy
The former chief executive of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, could face years in prison when he is sentenced after his guilty plea to violating US money-laundering laws https://t.co/ySntGVnmvn https://t.co/kyGLzQVjAc
⚠️ BINANCE'S CEO ZHAO FACES SENTENCING OVER MONEY LAUNDERING VIOLATIONS Full Story → https://t.co/nkwB7kT3AY The former chief executive of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, could face years in prison when he is sentenced on Tuesday after his guilty plea to… https://t.co/fJAbVeox8B
Binance's billionaire founder to find out if prison time is coming — here's what lawyers are expecting https://t.co/RNRGYTHjUH
Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, is facing sentencing today. @cz_binance is a visionary, not a criminal. CZ doesn't deserve this. He's passionate about crypto's potential to change the world. Let's show our support! 💪 https://t.co/tSAjtTigVy
Anyone knows when the exact time of CZ's sentencing is?
CZ to be sentenced in the US today — what to expect https://t.co/J2SsqjBk3d
Binance’s clash with the SEC is up next as CZ faces sentencing https://t.co/FROaIvZdbq
Binance founder faces sentencing for allowing money laundering, some for Hamas and Iran https://t.co/L9DPrKS1Qi
Binance founder faces sentencing in US court over money laundering allegations https://t.co/YHSfozgVJI https://t.co/iv3g9rZoyN
Ahead of CZ's sentencing on April 30, a look at the contrast between CZ/Binance and SBF/FTX, as Binance claims more than 40M new users in 2023, up 30% YoY (Bloomberg) https://t.co/ppW2ZzfIxu 📫 Subscribe: https://t.co/OyWeKSRpIM https://t.co/d0nigXvGV9
🚨NEWS: @cz_binance founder of Binance will be sentenced in a U.S. court in Seattle today after pleading guilty to one count of violating the Bank Secrecy Act last November. https://t.co/CQs5dgMc8n
my dad CZ is getting sentenced tomorrow 😩 https://t.co/W9TVb1rsIS
Binance’s CZ may become the richest person ever to go to jail in the US. How did it all come to this? Read The Big Take ⬇️ https://t.co/HRc09t3A9u
Ex-Binance chief set for sentencing in US court https://t.co/X4XRHSxydl
CZ of Binance will be sentenced in a U.S. court in Seattle tomorrow after pleading guilty to one count of violating the Bank Secrecy Act last November. The Department of Justice has recommended 3 years in prison, citing the scale of his misconduct. Why 3 years? CZ's plea… https://t.co/Bm5ijjPfTY
Over 160 of CZ’s friends, family and colleagues have written to the court to ask for leniency ahead of his sentencing tomorrow. Their letters offer an unprecedented glimpse into the personal life and history of the notoriously private Binance co-founder. https://t.co/IqAUYTQ758
👨⚖️ If Binance founder @cz_binance is sentenced to prison time on Tuesday, a minimum security “camp” won’t be an option for him. By @the_postman_ 🗞️Read more: https://t.co/VD3pRQ8tCr
Cz sentencing tomorrow?
Over 160 of former Binance CEO CZ’s friends, family and colleagues have written to ask for leniency ahead of his sentencing tomorrow. Their letters offer an unprecedented glimpse into the personal life of the notoriously private Binance co-founder. https://t.co/vqAGIUXK59
Binance’s CZ may become the richest person ever to go to jail in the US. How did it all come to this? Read The Big Take ⤵️ https://t.co/4od9yTLBVu
Binance and CZ's Fortunes are set to grow -- jail or no jail: https://t.co/aX2KY7vluo by @MuyaoShen and me, edited by @Reganonymous
Binance’s CZ may become the richest person ever to go to jail in the US. How did it all come to this? https://t.co/KsdXaxYwOm
Binance’s CZ may become the richest person ever to go to jail in the US. How did it all come to this? Read our Big Take @crypto via @business https://t.co/Y6sSQ8m3AP
Binance's CZ Will Spend Less Than a Year in Prison, Polymarket Traders Bet https://t.co/jzsCvuEcFW via @coindesk
What will CZ's sentence be?
How long will CZ’s sentence be? The gamblers say: https://t.co/b5i6zsJWD0
OK - now at sentencing of Rikesh Thapa who's pled guilty to stealing $1.3 million from the "small start-up tech firm" where he worked, including in cryptocurrency and tokens. Inner City Press as only media in the courtroom will live tweet, thread below https://t.co/8i17kxFKXG
How CZ’s sentencing is just the start of Binance’s problems https://t.co/SboUdjLTNc
JUST IN: POLYMARKET TRADERS THINK CZ WILL SPEND LESS THAN A YEAR IN PRISON
Binance's CZ will be sentenced in a U.S. court Tuesday. The DOJ says he should spend three years in prison. @Polymarket bettors think he'll be out much sooner. Prediction market wrap by @TheSamReynolds https://t.co/v5yZSA58ot
Tomorrow @binance's #CZ will be sentenced for his many egregious crimes including money laundering failing to monitor and stop money laundering, including, failing to report over 100,000 suspicious transactions linked to ransomware, child sexual abuse, large-scale hacks, the…
It goes without saying that @cz_binance absolutely does not deserve any prison time. He has already sacrificed enough. Hopefully the Judge comes to the same conclusion 🙏
ANALYSIS: The DOJ surprised many when it recommended that Binance founder CZ spend three years, and not 18 months, in prison. This is all part of the sentencing process, however. @nikhileshde reports. https://t.co/h95VxM5g1g
Is CZ going to jail? Sentencing tomorrow - survey says: https://t.co/x5rJHalnGt
The sentencing is scheduled for tomorrow... An attack against CZ is an attack against the whole crypto industry. Let's hope for a good outcome 🙏 https://t.co/j4Etwe9KG2
Over 160 of CZ’s friends, family and colleagues have written to ask for leniency ahead of his sentencing tomorrow. Their letters offer an unprecedented glimpse into the personal life of the notoriously private Binance co-founder. @cheyenneligon digs in https://t.co/IcEiDKh8gt
Binance founder faces possible three-year jail term over ‘wild west’ business model https://t.co/uis5oXdXTD
ICYMI: DOJ recommends three-year prison term for Binance co-founder CZ following guilty plea to Bank Secrecy Act violations. Allegations include bypassing federal sanctions and money laundering laws. Details: ↓ https://t.co/veYblz3geR
With CZ sentencing hearing set for Tuesday let's recap what the charges stem from: In the charges against him, prosecutors describe how Binance allowed users to start accounts with nothing more than an email address, so long as they stuck to cryptocurrency-only transactions…