Judge Richard Jones has handed down a four-month prison sentence to Changpeng Zhao, defying the U.S. Department of Justice’s recommendation for a three-year term.
This decision has stirred significant discussion within the cryptocurrency sphere.
London-based financial services lawyer, Rabya Anwar, noted the intertwined narratives of Zhao and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, especially after both faced legal action from the U.S. government.
Anwar highlighted the divergence in their business practices, with Bankman-Fried facing charges related to fraud and misappropriation of funds, while Zhao’s case primarily revolves around the efficacy of anti-money laundering measures.
Anwar stated that several factors influenced the contrasting sentences, including the nature of their conduct and the far-reaching repercussions of the FTX scandal on innocent individuals.
Interestingly, since Zhao’s sentencing, the crypto community has rallied around the number “4,” a nod to a meme Zhao popularized in 2023, symbolizing the four core principles behind Binance.
Autism Capital humorously remarked that Zhao “literally named his prison sentence into existence.”
Despite the verdict, Zhao remains resolute, expressing his intention to serve his prison term and shift his focus to education.
He received vocal support from cryptocurrency influencer Crypto Patel, who hailed him as an innovator and champion of a crypto-empowered future, rejecting the notion that Zhao is a criminal.
Meanwhile, other community members, like X user RobinTheFarmer, highlighted Zhao’s support for projects like Terra (LUNA) and Luna Classic (LUNC).