California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a new page on the state’s official website criticizing President Donald Trump’s ties to the cryptocurrency industry, specifically highlighting convicted crypto figures who have received presidential pardons or sentence commutations.
The initiative is framed by Newsom’s office as part of a broader effort to expose what it describes as Trump’s pattern of protecting “criminal cronies,” with a dedicated focus on high-profile figures from the digital asset sector.
Crypto Figures Highlighted On The State Website
The newly launched page lists several well-known crypto industry figures who were convicted of financial or criminal offenses and later pardoned by President Trump.
Among them is Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the founder of Binance. Zhao was pardoned in October 2025 after pleading guilty in 2023 to failing to implement an effective anti-money laundering program at Binance. Prosecutors previously said those failures allowed illicit funds to flow through the exchange to sanctioned entities and criminal organizations.
Also listed is Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road marketplace. Ulbricht received a full and unconditional pardon from Trump in January 2025.
He had been convicted in 2015 on charges related to narcotics trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies tied to Silk Road, a dark web platform where more than $200 million in illegal drugs were sold.
The page further names BitMEX co-founders Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo, Gregory Dwyer, and Samuel Reed, all of whom were pardoned after being convicted of violating the Bank Secrecy Act.
Newsom Frames Pardons As Public Safety Issue
In a statement accompanying the website launch, Newsom’s office said the governor is focused on reducing crime in California, while accusing Trump of elevating individuals convicted of serious offenses.
“Governor Newsom is driving crime down, and Donald Trump is pardoning drug lords and driving criminals into government,” the statement said. The page is presented as a public resource allowing Americans to see whom the president “elevates and who he protects.”
Political Context And Broader Strategy
The move is widely viewed as a political maneuver aimed at drawing attention to Trump’s relationship with parts of the crypto industry and raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. Newsom is frequently mentioned as a potential presidential contender in 2028, and the initiative aligns with broader efforts to contrast his governance record with Trump’s actions.
By focusing on crypto-related pardons, the campaign links financial regulation, criminal justice, and digital assets into a single political narrative.
Crypto Industry Caught In Political Crossfire
The website underscores how cryptocurrency has increasingly become entangled in U.S. political debates. As digital assets move closer to mainstream finance and regulatory frameworks tighten, high-profile enforcement cases and subsequent pardons are now being used as political leverage.
The episode highlights how crypto’s role in public policy extends beyond markets and technology, becoming a flashpoint in broader discussions around regulation, enforcement, and executive power.
