Trump’s CZ Pardon Ignites Double-Digit Gains for WLFI, ASTER, and 4: A Deep Dive into the Binance Ecosystem Surge
Introduction
In a landmark move with immediate repercussions across the cryptocurrency market, former President Donald Trump has officially granted a presidential pardon to Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the former CEO of Binance. This action wiped away his criminal charges related to the Bank Secrecy Act. The news, breaking on October 23, 2025, acted as a powerful catalyst, sparking a wave of optimism specifically within the Binance ecosystem. This surge in sentiment translated into double-digit price gains and significant on-chain activity for several altcoins, most notably WLFI, Aster (ASTER), and the meme token 4. The event underscores the growing intersection of political developments and digital asset markets, highlighting how regulatory and legal clarity—or perceived endorsements—can trigger rapid capital movement and renewed investor confidence in a subdued market.
The Catalyst: Unpacking Trump's Pardon of CZ
The central event driving this market movement is the presidential pardon of Changpeng Zhao. CZ, a foundational figure in the crypto industry, co-founded Binance, which grew to become the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. His legal challenges had cast a shadow over the exchange and its vast ecosystem of associated projects and tokens. The pardon effectively removes this overhang, interpreted by many market participants as a strong political endorsement of the cryptocurrency sector at large and the Binance ecosystem in particular.
Historically, pivotal moments involving key industry figures have led to volatile but often positive price action for related assets. The pardon appears to have served a similar function, acting as a de-risking event that encouraged accumulation in projects perceived to have strong ties to CZ or Binance’s future growth. This sets the stage for understanding the specific performance of WLFI, ASTER, and 4.
WLFI: A Surge in Volume and Holder Confidence
One of the most pronounced reactions was seen in WLFI. The token’s price jumped nearly 14% within 24 hours of the announcement. More significantly, its daily trading volume exceeded $300 million, doubling its previous average. This simultaneous rise in both price and volume is a classic technical indicator of strong buying pressure and renewed accumulation.
Beyond pure price action, on-chain metrics provided further evidence of shifting sentiment. Data from CoinMarketCap showed that WLFI's holder count had been in a decline, falling from 124,520 to 124,380 over the preceding week. However, following the pardon news, this trend reversed, with the holder count rebounding to 124,450. While a small numerical increase, this uptick marks a potential early sign of returning investor confidence for a token that had dropped nearly 30% since the previous month.
The project's fundamental link to Binance likely amplified its positive reaction. WLFI’s USD1 stablecoin is reportedly involved in a $2 billion deal between Abu Dhabi and Binance, creating direct revenue streams tied to the exchange's operational growth and expansion. The pardon, therefore, is seen as bolstering the stability and prospects of such high-value partnerships.
Aster (ASTER): Long-Term Accumulation Through Exchange Outflows
Aster, a perpetual decentralized exchange (DEX) built on the BNB Chain, experienced a similarly bullish response. The token’s price rose by more than 12%, but the more telling story was written in its on-chain data. According to analytics platform Nansen, nearly 10 million ASTER tokens were withdrawn from exchanges in the 24 hours following the news.
Large-scale exchange outflows are typically interpreted as a sign of long-term accumulation, as investors move assets from trading venues into private wallets for holding. This behavior suggests that investors are becoming more bullish on ASTER's long-term prospects rather than seeking short-term profits. This sentiment is reinforced by CZ’s historical public endorsement of Aster on social media platform X and the project’s backing by YZi Labs, formerly known as Binance Labs.
The timing of the pardon also coincided with Aster’s ongoing "Rocket Launch" campaign, a liquidity initiative combined with a token buyback plan. The combination of this internal project development and the external macro-legal catalyst created a powerful synergy that boosted investor confidence further. As one investor, AltcoinsGuy, stated on social media: “Just withdrew 50 ASTER again from my profits to my personal wallet for long-term holdings and will keep doing this until it reaches $5–$10... I’m extremely bullish on ASTER because of CZ.”
4: Meme Token Mania and Whales Betting on a Binance Listing
The most explosive gains occurred in the meme token sector with the token named 4. Its price surged more than 30% in 24 hours, far outpacing the other assets discussed. This volatility is characteristic of meme tokens, which often exhibit higher beta—meaning they are more sensitive to both positive and negative market news.
On-chain data from Nansen reveals the mechanics behind this surge: the top 100 wallets holding 4 increased their collective balances by 6.86%, while exchange reserves for the token fell by nearly 8%. This indicates that large holders, or "whales," were actively accumulating the token and moving it off exchanges, reducing immediate selling pressure and signaling conviction.
The project’s social media activity explicitly tied its momentum to the pardon. The official account for 4 posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "4 is tokenized support for CZ & all builders," framing the token as part of a pro-CZ movement. Furthermore, speculation around a potential Binance Spot listing was fueled by its appearance on the Binance Alpha listing page. For a meme token with a market capitalization of roughly $120 million, accumulation at this stage could represent a strategic bet on such a listing materializing, which would provide immense liquidity and visibility.
Comparing Project Relevance and Market Roles
While all three assets benefited from the same catalyst, they occupy distinct roles within the crypto landscape:
- WLFI represents a project with tangible financial infrastructure ties through its stablecoin and a major international deal. Its gains reflect confidence in its business model and revenue streams linked to Binance's corporate health.
- Aster (ASTER) is a utility-driven project—a DEX—within the BNB Chain ecosystem. Its gains and accumulation signal belief in its underlying technology and its potential to capture value from increased activity on Binance’s native blockchain.
- 4 is a pure meme token whose value is heavily derived from community sentiment and narrative. Its dramatic rise highlights the risk-on behavior that permeates the crypto market during periods of euphoria, where traders seek higher returns in more speculative assets.
This diversity shows how a single positive event can ripple through different layers of an ecosystem, from foundational financial tools and DeFi protocols to speculative community assets.
Conclusion: A Bright Spot in an Otherwise Subdued Market
The presidential pardon for CZ served as a powerful stimulus for the Binance ecosystem during an otherwise quiet period in October 2025. The immediate double-digit gains for WLFI, ASTER, and 4 demonstrate a clear market verdict: reduced regulatory uncertainty for key industry leaders is a net positive for their associated digital assets.
For crypto readers and investors, this event underscores several key points. First, it highlights the increasing significance of geopolitical and regulatory developments on asset prices. Second, it demonstrates the value of monitoring on-chain metrics like exchange outflows and holder counts to confirm price movements driven by sentiment.
Looking ahead, market participants should watch for follow-through on these initial moves. Key areas to monitor include whether WLFI's holder count continues its recovery, if ASTER can maintain its accumulation trend post-campaign, and if the speculation around a Binance listing for 4 comes to fruition. While October’s broader market may have been subdued, this event confirmed that BNB and its surrounding projects remain sensitive—and responsive—to news directly impacting their foundational pillars.
Disclaimer: In adherence to professional reporting standards, this article is based solely on publicly available data and news summaries. Readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any investment decisions.