Moments after the announcement that former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as CZ, would serve four months in federal prison for anti-money laundering violations, significant reactions surfaced. According to Bloomberg, CZ, with a fortune valued over $40 billion, is set to become the richest person ever to serve time in a U.S. federal prison.

The internet reacted robustly to the news of the incarceration of a man instrumental in building the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Among the voices was former Binance colleague Patrick Hillmann, who expressed support on X, noting CZ’s efforts to prepare Binance for global regulation.

During his sentencing, CZ apologized, taking responsibility for his “mistakes.” While prosecutors sought a more severe 36-month sentence, federal guidelines suggested 10 to 16 months for similar first-time nonviolent offenses. The judge’s decision was influenced by precedent, with defense highlighting that similarly situated individuals had previously received no prison time.

This high-profile sentencing is not isolated in the crypto world, following former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried’s 25-year sentence earlier this year. Criticism also came from Dennis Kelleher, CEO of Better Markets, who labeled the sentencing an “egregious miscarriage of justice” and criticized the DOJ for not charging CZ more aggressively.

Experts indicate that CZ is expected to serve the full four-month term without the possibility of early release due to good behavior, a decision influenced by his non-U.S. citizen status. He will be housed in a low-security facility, despite the usual practice of placing similar cases in minimum-security camps.