According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) returned to the United States in February 2026 for the first time since his release from legal proceedings in 2024. His visit centered on attending a major cryptocurrency summit organized by World Liberty Financial, a group backed by the Trump family.
The event was held at Mar-a-Lago, the Florida estate owned by former President Donald Trump. During the summit, Zhao reportedly met with Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr.. Following the event, Zhao stated on the X platform that he "learned a lot" from the experience, striking a positive and reflective tone about his return to the U.S. and engagement with high-level figures.
The summit attracted a significant roster of prominent individuals from finance, politics, and the crypto industry. Notable attendees included David Solomon (CEO of Goldman Sachs), Lynn Martin (President of the New York Stock Exchange), investor Kevin O'Leary, Brian Armstrong (founder of Coinbase), Senator Bernie Moreno, and artist Nicki Minaj.
Analysts view Zhao's return and participation in this high-profile event as a significant development for Binance, which has faced substantial legal and regulatory challenges in recent years. His presence signals a potential step toward rebuilding relationships within the United States. More broadly, the summit underscores the strengthening engagement between the cryptocurrency sector and traditional financial and political institutions, highlighting digital assets' growing integration into mainstream financial and policy discussions.
