Trump grants pardon to BitMEX parent HDR Global, effectively wiping $100 million AML penalty
AI Market Summary
Trump's pardon of BitMEX's parent (HDR Global Trading) and former executives removes a $100M AML-related penalty just as payment was due, signaling potentially more permissive enforcement risk in parts of the U.S. crypto landscape. While not directly tied to any token, the precedent of corporate pardons may affect market perceptions of regulatory and legal tail risks for centralized trading venues and the broader crypto complex in the near term.
Impact level
● Medium
Affected assets
BTC/USDT+1.76%
AI Insight · BTC/USDTAI Insight
● Neutral
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Odaily Planet Daily reported that during his second term, Donald Trump has broken new ground in modern U.S. history by extending pardons to corporations. To date, he has pardoned nine companies, including HDR Global Trading, the parent of crypto derivatives platform BitMEX.
HDR Global had been hit with a $100 million penalty for violations of anti-money laundering rules. Trump signed the pardon on March 27, 2025, granting clemency to the company and four former executives, including cofounder Arthur Hayes, just as the fine was coming due.
The report said the concept of corporate pardons resurfaced in early 2025 after BitMEX's parent quietly pursued relief. Some White House officials pointed to a precedent more than 300 years old, when England's King Charles II issued pardons to companies.
