Binance founder CZ must stay in US until February sentencing, judge orders
Former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has been ordered to remain in the U.S. while awaiting his sentencing in February.
Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao must stay in the United States until his February sentencing as he’s unlikely to return to the country if allowed to travel to the United Arab Emirates, a federal judge has ruled.
On Dec. 7, Seattle District Court Judge Richard Jones ordered Zhao to stay in the U.S. until his Feb. 23, 2024 sentencing date. He faces up to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to money laundering on Nov. 21.
“The defendant has enormous wealth and property abroad, and no ties to the United States,” Judge Jones wrote, and agreed with earlier arguments from federal prosecutors who said they “would not be able to secure his return” if Zhao decided not to come back to the U.S.
