Bitcoin News Today: Trump's CZ Pardon Spurs WLFI Surge, Warren Warns of Political Corruption

World Liberty Financial's (WLFI) native token surged over 15% in 24 hours following U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial pardon of Changpeng Zhao, the former Binance CEO, sparking debates about crypto regulation and political influence in the digital asset space, according to a Crypto.News report. The token, already linked to Trump's blockchain initiatives, hit $0.14, breaking out of a months-long consolidation phase amid heightened trading volume and speculative fervor, as noted in a CoinEdition article.

The pardon, announced on October 23, 2025, has been framed by Trump as a corrective to what he called the Biden administration's "war on crypto." Zhao, who served four months in prison after pleading guilty to violating anti-money laundering laws, expressed gratitude to Trump on X, vowing to "make America the Capital of Crypto," according to a Benzinga article. The move has been interpreted as a strategic boost for WLFI, which is associated with World Liberty Financial, a platform that previously partnered with Binance on a $2 billion investment deal involving its USD1 stablecoin.

Market analysts noted that WLFI's rally outpaced major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which rose just 1.5–1.7% in the same period, according to a U.Today report. Trading volume for WLFI spiked 150–170%, pushing its market capitalization to $3.5 billion. Technical indicators suggest the token could test $0.17–$0.20 if it maintains support above $0.135, though a breakdown could trigger a retest of $0.125–$0.130.

The political implications of the pardon have drawn sharp criticism. Senator Elizabeth Warren condemned the decision as an example of "corruption," citing Zhao's prior financial ties to Trump's stablecoin venture. "If Congress does not stop this kind of corruption, it owns it," Warren tweeted, highlighting concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Critics argue that Binance's use of World Liberty Financial's USD1 stablecoin in a 2024 deal with Abu Dhabi-based MGX created a "transactional relationship" that may have influenced Trump's decision.

Zhao, for his part, denied Warren's allegations, stating she had "mischaracterized" his legal case and accused her of waging a "war on crypto" to justify the pardon. Binance, which previously listed WLFI in September, has distanced itself from the token, though its leadership's public support for Zhao's return has bolstered broader market optimism about U.S. crypto policy under a potential Trump administration.

The WLFI surge reflects a broader trend of political events shaping crypto markets. As Trump's pro-crypto agenda gains traction, tokens tied to his allies or ventures are seeing renewed investor interest. However, the pardon has also intensified scrutiny of the interplay between political power and digital asset projects, with regulators and lawmakers likely to face pressure to address perceived conflicts of interest.

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