The 14-foot-tall gold-painted statue of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, was unveiled in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, funded by anonymous crypto donors following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent pardon. It symbolizes resilience amid regulatory challenges and features CZ’s signature four-finger gesture.
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Anonymous donors raised $50,000 to create the CZ statue, crafted from dense foam using CNC printing over four weeks.
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The statue honors CZ’s pardon and his contributions to cryptocurrency, displayed briefly outside the U.S. Capitol before gifting or auction for his nonprofit Giggle Academy.
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BNB Chain launched a related memecoin, CZSTATUE, with a market cap of approximately $577,000 at publication, reflecting community support amid BNB’s 18% monthly surge.
Discover the story behind the CZ statue in Washington, D.C., celebrating Binance founder Changpeng Zhao’s pardon by President Trump. Explore its significance for crypto innovation and community spirit. Read more now!
What is the CZ Statue in Washington, D.C., and Why Was It Created?
The CZ statue in Washington, D.C., is a 14-foot-tall, gold-painted monument honoring Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, unveiled on Tuesday by anonymous crypto donors and supporters. It commemorates U.S. President Donald Trump’s pardon of Zhao last week, following his guilty plea to anti-money laundering violations in 2023. The statue features Zhao’s iconic four-finger gesture, representing his 2023 commitment to overcoming fear, uncertainty, and doubt during intense regulatory scrutiny in the cryptocurrency sector.
How Did Anonymous Donors Fund and Build the CZ Statue?
Four anonymous individuals pooled approximately $50,000 to finance the creation of the CZ statue, as revealed by organizer Nick Zee. The monument was meticulously crafted over four weeks using a CNC printing machine that milled it from dense foam blocks, followed by polishing and gold painting. Updates on the process, including videos of transportation to Washington, D.C., were shared publicly by the team, building anticipation for the limited display outside the U.S. Capitol.
This initiative follows a pattern of crypto-inspired public art in the capital. Just last month, a separate group installed a gold statue of President Trump holding a Bitcoin in the same location, highlighting the growing intersection of cryptocurrency culture and political symbolism. The CZ statue’s debut aligns with renewed optimism in the crypto community, particularly after Zhao’s legal challenges were resolved through the presidential pardon.
Post-display, the statue is slated to be gifted directly to Zhao or auctioned to support Giggle Academy, the nonprofit he founded in 2024 as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities over Binance’s compliance issues. Giggle Academy focuses on educational programs, underscoring Zhao’s shift toward philanthropy after stepping down as CEO in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired the creation of the CZ statue following Trump’s pardon?
The CZ statue was inspired by recent attacks on Binance and its founder, coupled with the surge in BNB’s price and support from industry peers. Organizer Nick Zee described Trump’s pardon as the “cherry on top,” celebrating Zhao’s resilience after four months in a minimum-security prison in Lompoc, California, for breaching U.S. anti-money laundering laws.
How has the Trump pardon impacted Binance and the cryptocurrency market?
President Trump’s pardon of Changpeng Zhao restores confidence in Binance’s leadership amid regulatory hurdles. With BNB trading at around $1,137—down 1% daily but up 18% monthly—it signals market recovery. The action counters prior administration efforts to curb crypto innovation, potentially boosting U.S. competitiveness in digital assets.
Key Takeaways
- Community Solidarity: Anonymous crypto enthusiasts raised $50,000 for the CZ statue, demonstrating strong support for Binance’s founder post-pardon and highlighting the sector’s collaborative spirit.
- Symbolic Gesture: The four-finger pose on the statue nods to Zhao’s 2023 FUD-overcoming mantra, tying into BNB Chain’s CZSTATUE memecoin, which reached a $577,000 market cap and reflects token-driven fan initiatives.
- Philanthropic Angle: Proceeds from the statue’s potential auction will aid Giggle Academy, Zhao’s education-focused nonprofit born from his $4.3 billion settlement, emphasizing positive crypto industry contributions.
Conclusion
The unveiling of the CZ statue in Washington, D.C., marks a pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency community, blending celebration of Changpeng Zhao’s pardon with symbols of defiance against regulatory pressures. As BNB continues its upward trajectory and initiatives like the related memecoin gain traction, this event underscores the sector’s maturity and resilience. Looking ahead, such displays could inspire further innovation, encouraging crypto stakeholders to prioritize compliance and education while advocating for a supportive U.S. policy environment—stay tuned for ongoing developments in digital finance.
Gold Statue of Binance Founder CZ to Appear Outside U.S. Capitol Tuesday for Limited Display as Creators Seek to Gift It After Trump Pardon $BNB
— BecauseBitcoin.com (@BecauseBitcoin) October 27, 2025
The initiative has sparked discussions on crypto’s cultural footprint, with the statue’s brief public showing drawing crowds and media attention. Binance’s ties to broader projects, such as the Trump family-backed World Liberty Financial, add layers to the narrative. Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi-based MGX invested $2 billion in Binance using the project’s USD1 stablecoin, illustrating global financial integrations. Senator Elizabeth Warren’s criticism of the pardon as “corruption” contrasts with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s defense, noting the Biden Administration’s aggressive prosecution lacked fraud allegations or victims. Leavitt highlighted the prior push for a three-year sentence as unprecedented, per the judge’s remarks after 30 years on the bench. This pardon not only clears Zhao’s record but also critiques past policies that she says harmed U.S. tech leadership. Overall, the CZ statue serves as a tangible emblem of crypto’s evolving role in society, fostering optimism for a more inclusive regulatory future.
