Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao on Tuesday named a brand new CEO of the cryptocurrency trade he based, after pleading responsible to federal cash laundering costs and stepping down as the corporate’s chief.

Zhao named Richard Teng, a former CEO of Abu Dhabi International Market, the UAE capital’s monetary providers regulator, as Binance’s new CEO. Teng was most lately international head of regional markets at Binance. He was additionally beforehand director of company finance on the Financial Authority of Singapore.

In a put up on X, Zhao mentioned he “should take accountability,” and that it was “not straightforward to let go emotionally.” The controversial crypto entrepreneur, who was accused of violating the U.S. Financial institution Secrecy Act and sanctions violations, added that he was “proud to level out” U.S. companies didn’t allege Binance had misappropriated consumer funds or market manipulation.

The case in opposition to Binance, which was unsealed on Tuesday afternoon, reveals that the trade faces three prison costs, together with conducting an unlicensed money-transmitting enterprise, violating the Worldwide Emergency Financial Powers Act, in addition to a conspiracy cost. The trade has agreed to $4.3 billion in fines and forfeiture.

The previous Binance chief will personally plead responsible to violating and inflicting a monetary establishment to violate the Financial institution Secrecy Act, in keeping with the plea settlement. The DOJ can be recommending that the courtroom impose a $50 million nice on Zhao.

The settlement comes simply after FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was discovered responsible of a number of prison counts of fraud and conspiracy following simply three hours of deliberation by the jury. For a high-profile monthlong trial that concerned almost 20 witnesses and tons of of reveals, specialists instructed CNBC they’d by no means seen such a speedy resolution.

“I am unable to see myself being a CEO driving a startup once more. I’m content material being an one-shot (fortunate) entrepreneur,” Zhao mentioned. “Ought to there be listeners, I could also be open to being a coach/mentor to a small variety of upcoming entrepreneurs, privately. If for nothing else, I can a minimum of inform them what to not do.”

Zhao described Teng as a “extremely certified chief” and added that “with over three many years of monetary providers and regulatory expertise, he’ll navigate the corporate by its subsequent interval of development.”

“With CZ, and our management staff’s assist, I’ve accepted this function in order that we will proceed to satisfy and exceed the expectations of stakeholders whereas reaching our core mission, the liberty of cash,” Teng mentioned in a put up on X Tuesday afternoon. Teng added that his focus might be on three key areas: together with “reassuring customers that they will stay assured within the monetary energy, safety and security of the corporate;” “collaborating with regulators to uphold excessive requirements globally that foster innovation whereas offering vital shopper protections;” and “working with companions to drive development and adoption of Web3.”

“He’ll guarantee Binance delivers on our subsequent part of safety, transparency, compliance, and development,” Zhao added.

The remarks mark the primary public feedback made by Zhao after he agreed to a plea take care of the U.S. Division of Justice earlier Tuesday.

Zhao appeared earlier than Choose Brian Tsuchida for a listening to in a Seattle courtroom at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (1:00 p.m. ET).