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President Donald Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao after he was convicted of breaking U.S. anti–money laundering laws. Officials will talk about innovation and giving him a “second chance,” but the real reason is simpler. Pardoning the leader of the world’s largest exchange helps the U.S. keep control over global crypto flows and supports a system that is now politically useful. In Nigeria, where millions turned to crypto as an informal lifeline when the naira collapsed, the pardon lands like salt in an open wound. It’s a signal that the system works differently for those backed by capital, connections and leverage.

Learn why forgiveness in crypto never seems evenly distributed.

Luxury is no longer the preserve of the few. Diverse consumers are reshaping the sector and luxury brands must pay attention or risk being left behind. According to a Bain report, non-white ethnic groups accounted for approximately 20% of U.S. luxury spend in 2019, projected to grow to 25–30% by 2025.

Look at How Black Buyers Are Redirecting the Luxury Market’s Compass

Many small business owners are ready to expand their teams. But a NEXT research study found that most expect hiring new employees to be a challenge. And many are successfully attracting new talent with new strategies that work. In April 2025, we asked 1,500 small business owners looking to hire in the next six months for their thoughts about finding and bringing on more workers. The data reveals a difficult hiring landscape, including tough competition and a shortage of skilled applicants.

Look at how Small Business Hiring Gets a Remix

For decades, hip-hop artists have turned pain into poetry, struggle into style, and now, lyrics into liquidity. A new generation of rap moguls and artists is flipping the wealth script by investing in technology, transforming their cultural capital into venture capital. This isn’t just a business trend for music icons like Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Nas, among others; it’s a power shift, where ownership and innovation are becoming the bars that really matter.

See how Hip-Hop’s Game Plan Evolved Into the Modern VC Pitch

Continue your week humming on a brighter note, and maybe with a clearer headspace, with “A+ ” by Key Glock setting the tone.
It’s soft, it’s warm, and it settles right into the part of your energy that needs a gentle lift.

Tap in, turn it up, and let this week’s CBX Vibe do what it does.