Trump’s pardon expands to the corporate sector, including the crypto industry, as BitMEX’s parent company’s $100 million fine is wiped out in one stroke

PANews July 22, citing Bloomberg, reported that Trump set a precedent in American modern history in his second term by pardoning businesses. So far, he has pardoned 9 companies, including the parent company of the crypto trading platform BitMEX, HDR Global Trading. The company faced a $100 million fine for violating anti-money-laundering regulations. On March 27, 2025, Trump signed a pardon order, pardoning four former senior executives including co-founder Arthur Hayes, as well as the company itself—timing that coincided with the same week the fine was due to be paid.

The report said the idea of pardoning businesses was first raised in early 2025, when BitMEX’s parent was quietly seeking a pardon. Some White House officials cited the precedent of King Charles II of England pardoning companies more than 300 years ago as justification. Notably, BitMEX had quickly launched a trading product tied to the $TRUMP meme coin in January 2025; the meme coin business generated $636 million in revenue for Trump last year. Hayes later also wrote an article backing Trump’s position on embracing meme coins.

Trump’s business pardons in his second term have now totaled nearly $200 million in waived penalties, some of which were originally intended for compensating victims.