According to Fortune, Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) will be released on Friday, September 27, contradicting earlier reports of a Sunday release by the US Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
The 47-year-old is completing his four-month sentence, which started in July at the Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, California.
The BOP’s official website initially marked CZ’s release date for September 29, an unusual weekend date. Federal rules might allow his early release to a chauffeured car waiting to drive him to a private jet.
The plane is anticipated to fly him to either Dubai or Paris, where his partner, He Yi, and their children reside. He Yi also holds an executive role at Binance.
CZ was convicted of failing to implement anti-money laundering controls at Binance. Despite DOJ pushing for a three-year sentence, CZ received a lenient term due to character references and future philanthropic plans.
CZ has launched Giggle Academy, offering free, fun educational tools for children and remains Binance's majority shareholder despite a lifetime ban from serving as CEO.
His possible early release could bring volatility to crypto markets, with investors especially focusing on Binance Coin (BNB), which is already trading up by over 2% to $605.43.
