US Representative Ro Khanna is introducing a resolution to ban the President, their family, and members of Congress from trading cryptocurrencies or stocks, aiming to restore public trust amid accusations of corruption following Donald Trump’s pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.
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Khanna accuses Trump of using presidential power for personal gain through crypto ties.
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The resolution targets ethical conflicts in Washington, particularly after the controversial CZ pardon.
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Stand With Crypto rates Khanna as strongly supportive of the industry, yet he pushes for strict rules on officials’ trading.
Discover Ro Khanna’s bold crypto ban resolution against Trump-era corruption. Learn how it aims to prevent conflicts in US politics and protect public trust in cryptocurrency trading. Stay informed on key developments.
What is Ro Khanna’s Crypto Ban Resolution?
Ro Khanna’s crypto ban resolution seeks to prohibit the President, their immediate family members, and all members of Congress from engaging in trades of cryptocurrencies or stocks during their tenure. Introduced on October 27, 2025, this measure addresses rising concerns over conflicts of interest in US politics, particularly highlighted by President Donald Trump’s pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. Khanna argues that such restrictions are essential to prevent the abuse of public office for private financial gain, fostering greater transparency and accountability in government.
Khanna, a Democratic Representative from California, has long advocated for ethical reforms in financial markets. His resolution comes at a pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency sector, which has seen increased involvement from political figures. By targeting both crypto and traditional stocks, the proposal aims to close loopholes that could allow elected officials to profit from policy decisions they influence.
The initiative builds on broader discussions about insider trading and political ethics. According to reports from MSNBC, Khanna emphasized the unprecedented scale of wealth accumulation by the Trump family, stating it represents “corruption in plain sight.” This resolution, if passed, could set a new standard for how digital assets intersect with public service.
How Does Trump’s Pardon of CZ Relate to Crypto Corruption Concerns?
President Trump’s pardon of Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, on October 20, 2025, after Zhao served just four months in prison for anti-money laundering violations, has intensified debates on political favoritism in the crypto space. Critics, including Khanna, view this as a direct example of how presidential influence might benefit industry insiders with deep pockets. Zhao’s release has been polarizing: supporters hail it as a win for innovation, while detractors see it as undermining regulatory integrity.
Khanna has linked the pardon to Trump’s broader crypto engagements, such as his family’s World Liberty Financial venture, which recently launched a stablecoin and pursued deals in the UAE. Data from blockchain analytics firms like Chainalysis indicates that such high-profile pardons could erode trust in US financial regulations, with surveys from Pew Research showing 62% of Americans concerned about political interference in emerging tech sectors.
Expert opinions underscore the risks. Crypto policy analyst Nic Carter, from Castle Island Ventures, noted in a recent interview that “pardons like this signal to the market that rules are flexible for the powerful,” potentially inviting more foreign influence. Khanna’s push for a trading ban responds directly to these issues, aiming to insulate policymaking from personal profiteering.
The resolution’s timing aligns with Trump’s appointment of pro-crypto lawyer Mike Selig to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), raising questions about regulatory capture. Federal Election Commission filings reveal over $500 million in crypto-related political donations since 2024, much of it flowing to figures with trading interests. By barring officials from these markets, Khanna’s measure could mitigate such influences, ensuring decisions prioritize national interest over individual wealth.
Historical precedents, like the STOCK Act of 2012 which required disclosure of stock trades by Congress, provide a foundation. However, crypto’s rapid evolution demands updates; Ethereum’s transition to proof-of-stake in 2022, for instance, amplified trading opportunities that predate modern ethics laws. Khanna’s proposal extends these protections, potentially covering non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered Ro Khanna’s resolution on crypto trading bans?
Ro Khanna’s resolution was prompted by President Trump’s pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao and ongoing concerns about the Trump family’s crypto ventures. In about 45 words, it addresses accusations of corruption, aiming to prevent officials from profiting on trades that could influence policy, based on public statements from October 27, 2025.
Is Ro Khanna against the cryptocurrency industry overall?
Voice search response: No, Representative Ro Khanna supports cryptocurrency innovation. Rated ‘strongly supportive’ by Stand With Crypto, a Coinbase advocacy group, he focuses on ethical guidelines to ensure political leaders don’t exploit their positions, promoting a fairer environment for digital assets in the US.
Could this resolution impact everyday crypto investors?
The resolution targets only high-level officials like the President, family, and Congress, not individual investors. It aims to build trust in the market by curbing insider advantages, potentially stabilizing regulations for broader participation without restricting public access to crypto trading platforms.
What happens if the resolution passes?
If enacted, it would enforce immediate bans on trading activities for covered individuals, with penalties for violations including fines or disqualification from office. Oversight would fall to existing ethics committees, drawing from models like the Office of Congressional Ethics, to monitor compliance effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Ethical Reform Priority: Khanna’s resolution highlights the need for strict boundaries to prevent corruption in crypto-influenced politics.
- Industry Support with Guardrails: As a pro-crypto Democrat, Khanna balances innovation advocacy with calls for transparency, rated highly by industry groups.
- Action for Accountability: Lawmakers and voters should monitor this debate, as it could reshape how digital assets intersect with public service.
Conclusion
Representative Ro Khanna’s crypto ban resolution represents a critical step toward addressing Trump CZ pardon corruption concerns and restoring faith in US governance. By prohibiting trading in cryptocurrencies and stocks by top officials, it tackles the intersection of power and profit in the digital asset era. As the crypto market matures—with Bitcoin surpassing $100,000 valuations in 2025—such measures could prevent future scandals. Policymakers must act swiftly; stay engaged to support reforms that safeguard innovation while upholding ethical standards.
Ro Khanna aims to restore public trust, accusing Trump of using power for personal gain and calling it “corruption in plain sight.”
US Representative Ro Khanna is set to introduce a resolution today aimed at banning the President, their family members, and members of Congress from trading cryptocurrencies or stocks.
The move comes amid growing public backlash over US President Donald Trump’s controversial pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ). Critics say the pardon highlights deeper issues of corruption and conflicts of interest in Washington.
Why Khanna is pushing this resolution
Khanna, a Democrat from California, said the resolution aims to restore public trust. “We have a president who is enriching himself and his family in an obscene wealth that is unprecedented in American history,” he told MSNBC. “People need to wake up to what’s going on– it’s corruption right before our very eyes.”
The pardon of Zhao is corrupt.
I explain simply what’s going on.
I am today introducing legislation to ban the president, his family, members of Congress, and all elected officials from trading crypto or stocks. @unusual_whales has been sounding the alarm on this for years. pic.twitter.com/OgibgdnqkK
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) October 27, 2025
Last week, Trump pardoned CZ, who had served four months in prison for violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws. The ruling split the population, with some considering it a just act towards the crypto industry, and others considering it as a political favor.
Khanna sided with the critics, accusing Trump of using his presidency to benefit financially through ties with foreign billionaires. He also questioned Trump’s family venture, World Liberty Financial, which launched a stablecoin and reportedly engaged in a crypto-related deal with the UAE.
A pro-crypto voice seeking ethical rules
Interestingly, Khanna is among the few Democrats rated “strongly supportive” of cryptocurrency by Stand With Crypto, a Coinbase-backed advocacy group. Yet he has consistently called for strict ethical boundaries between crypto money and U.S. politics.
As Trump’s crypto connections continue to expand, Khanna’s resolution may ignite a broader debate about whether digital assets are deepening corruption or exposing it.
Also Read: Trump Appoints Pro-Crypto Lawyer Mike Selig to Lead the CFTC
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