Despite being sentenced to four months in prison, Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, has not yet been incarcerated. This delay is not due to any evasion of legal consequences but rather a result of the intricate workings of the criminal justice system and the protections afforded by the Fifth Amendment.

On April 30, 2024, a US district judge in Seattle handed down a four-month sentence to Zhao, directing him to surrender for imprisonment at Seatac, a federal detention center. However, the Probation or Pretrial Services Office has not yet instructed Zhao to report to the designated facility in California.

The delay in Zhao's incarceration stems from the legal procedures surrounding the commencement of a sentence. According to federal law, a criminal's sentence begins upon entering custody or voluntarily surrendering to the designated detention facility. In Zhao's case, the judge opted for the latter approach, awaiting notification from the Probation or Pretrial Services Office.

The Bureau of Prisons must assess various factors before assigning a convict to a specific facility, including resources, the nature of the offense, the offender's background, and any court recommendations. This meticulous review process ensures that the constitutional right to due process is upheld, preventing arbitrary or unjust imprisonment.

Zhao's legal team, comprising seven defense lawyers from top law firms, has strategically navigated the legal landscape to delay his incarceration and ensure a fair process. This delay is not a loophole but a legitimate exercise of legal rights within the framework of the justice system.

Ultimately, the reason for Changpeng Zhao's current freedom lies in the fundamental principles of due process enshrined in the US Constitution. The legal intricacies and procedural safeguards in place serve to protect the rights of individuals, regardless of their status or circumstances, ensuring a just and equitable application of the law.