In a dramatic move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has officially pardoned Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the former CEO of Binance. The pardon erases CZ’s criminal charges related to the Bank Secrecy Act, marking a major political gesture towards the cryptocurrency industry.
The decision instantly revived confidence within the Binance ecosystem, triggering a surge in several associated altcoins. Among the biggest beneficiaries were WLFI, Aster (ASTER) and 4, each witnessing sharp rallies, rising trading volumes and visible signs of renewed accumulation from investors.
Market analysts interpret the pardon as a symbolic endorsement of crypto from Trump’s administration, potentially signalling a more favourable regulatory landscape ahead.
WLFI – Holder Rebound and Strong Accumulation Trend
WLFI, a project tied to Binance’s broader financial network, was one of the first altcoins to react positively to the news. The token’s price jumped nearly 14% within 24 hours, while daily trading volume surpassed $300 million, more than double its recent average.
WLFI’s USD1 stablecoin also plays a key role in a $2 billion Abu Dhabi–Binance partnership, creating stable revenue channels linked directly to Binance’s operations. This association has amplified investor sentiment following the pardon.
On-chain data indicates the number of WLFI holders has begun to recover after a steady decline over the past month. The count fell from 124,520 to 124,380 earlier this week but has since rebounded to 124,450, signalling early signs of renewed investor confidence.
Market experts believe WLFI’s slight uptick in holders could mark the start of a longer-term recovery, especially after the token’s 30% drop last month. Still, some analysts caution that the project’s close political and institutional ties may blur the lines between finance and politics, a growing concern for regulatory purists.
Aster (ASTER) – Exchange Outflows Signal Bullish Confidence
Aster, a perpetual decentralised exchange (DEX) built on the BNB Chain and supported by YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs), saw one of the strongest on-chain reactions to the pardon.
According to data from Nansen, Aster’s price surged more than 12%, while nearly 10 million ASTER tokens were withdrawn from exchanges within 24 hours, a clear signal of accumulation. Investors appear to be moving their holdings off exchanges in favour of long-term storage, reflecting bullish conviction.
Investor sentiment was further strengthened by Aster’s recently launched Rocket Launch Campaign, a liquidity and buyback programme aimed at increasing market depth and reducing supply pressure. The dual impact of the campaign and the pardon has accelerated the token’s momentum, making it one of the most closely watched Binance-linked assets this month.
Aster’s community-driven growth and direct endorsement by CZ himself have given it additional legitimacy among BNB Chain investors. Some community members have even declared intentions to hold the token until it reaches $5–$10, citing strong faith in its fundamentals and Binance connections.
4 – Whales Move In as Listing Speculation Grows
The meme token 4, created on the four.meme platform, emerged as a surprising winner from the CZ pardon narrative. Despite its relatively small market cap of $120 million, the token rallied over 30% in the past 24 hours, supported by increasing whale activity.
On-chain data from Nansen shows that the top 100 wallets increased their 4 holdings by 6.86%, while exchange reserves fell by nearly 8% following the announcement. This suggests large holders are actively accumulating, anticipating potential upside.
Adding to the optimism, 4 recently appeared on Binance Alpha’s early listing radar, sparking speculation of a possible Binance Spot listing. Such a development would significantly expand the token’s visibility and liquidity. Investors appear to be positioning themselves early, betting that 4 could become the next meme favourite within the Binance ecosystem.
Binance Ecosystem Reclaims Market Spotlight
The pardon of Changpeng Zhao has reinvigorated confidence not only in Binance itself but also across its broader network of affiliated tokens. While the wider crypto market remains relatively subdued, BNB and its ecosystem projects have become rare bright spots, showing signs of accumulation and rising momentum.
With political winds seemingly shifting in favour of crypto, traders are now eyeing whether Trump’s pro-crypto stance could drive a broader market recovery. For now, WLFI, Aster and 4 stand out as clear beneficiaries, each reflecting a different facet of Binance’s enduring influence in the global digital asset landscape.
