United States prosecutors urged a federal judge on Wednesday to order Binance Holdings founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao to stay in the United States prior to his sentence hearing on February 23, 2024, according to a court document.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Justice Department pleaded with the judge to order Zhao to remain in the country and forbid him from leaving until his sentencing. On Tuesday, Zhao entered a guilty plea to breaking US laws meant to stop money laundering.

Zhao was previously anticipated to remain in the Seattle region until Monday night, at which point he would be permitted to return to his residency in the United Arab Emirates, a DOJ spokesperson had previously told Reuters.