Trump's Crypto Pardons: Buying Loyalty or Just Dumb Luck?
So, Trump's handing out pardons like they're candy at a rally. First CZ, now maybe SBF? Give me a break. Is this some kind of "get out of jail free" card for crypto bros who kiss the ring? Or is it just pure, unadulterated chaos?
Trump claims he doesn't know CZ, the Binance guy. "No idea who he is," he said on 60 Minutes. Right. And I'm the Queen of England. His own press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, is out there calling CZ's prosecution a "war on cryptocurrency" by Biden. A "war on cryptocurrency?" Seriously? It sounds like something QAnon dreamt up after a bad burrito.
But here's the kicker: CZ's companies have partnered with firms linked to Trump. His sons are even on the board of some of these ventures. So, no idea who he is? Either Trump's memory is worse than I thought, or he's banking on us being complete morons. 'I don't know who he is,' says Trump after pardoning crypto tycoon
The pardon lifts restrictions on CZ running financial ventures, but does it really change anything? Is he suddenly going to become a model citizen? I doubt it. And what does it say to the rest of us when a guy who pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering gets a free pass?
Now, Bankman-Fried is trying to worm his way out of a 25-year sentence. His angle? He's suddenly a Trump supporter. He's whining about how he and Trump both got screwed over by the same judge. "I know President Trump had a lot of frustrations with Judge Kaplan," SBF told the New York Sun. "I certainly did as well."
It's pathetic, really. He's trying to paint himself as some kind of victim of the system, just like Trump does. And it might actually work.
His parents are even reportedly schmoozing with Trump's old campaign cronies. Desperate times, I guess.
But here's the part that really boils my blood: FTX’s assets have rebounded, meaning a lot of people are getting their money back. SBF's gonna claim there was no harm done. But come on, just because people got their money back doesn't mean he didn't commit fraud. It's like robbing a bank and then returning the money after you've already spent some of it on a new yacht. Ain't right.
And the crypto industry? They're mixed on the whole thing. Some are horrified at the prospect of SBF walking free. Others, well, they're probably just glad to see the market bouncing back after his little stunt. Former crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried is making a play for redemption. Under Trump, it’s not so far-fetched
Trump's already pardoned the founders of BitMEX (also money laundering charges) and Ross Ulbricht of Silk Road fame. What's next? Is he going to pardon every white-collar criminal with a sob story and a fat wallet?
The message is clear: if you're rich and connected, the rules don't apply to you. And if you happen to cozy up to Trump, you might just get a "get out of jail free" card. It's disgusting.
Then again, maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe Trump just likes chaos. Maybe he's just screwing with the system for the hell of it. Maybe he just really doesnt care.
Look, it's simple: this ain't about justice. It's about power, loyalty, and maybe a little bit of grift. Trump's pardons are a slap in the face to everyone who believes in fairness and accountability. And honestly... it makes me sick.
