CZ Denies Trump-Binance Deal
CZ Denies WSJ Report of Trump-Binance Deal Talks
Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, CEO of Binance, has vehemently denied a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report alleging discussions between Binance.US representatives and President Donald Trump's family regarding a potential financial stake in Binance.US. CZ characterized the article as inaccurate and a deliberate attempt to damage both President Trump's reputation and the cryptocurrency industry.
Key Takeaways
- CZ flatly denied any discussions about a Binance.US deal with anyone.
- He suggested the WSJ article was a coordinated attack on President Trump and the crypto sector, potentially stemming from lingering opposition to crypto from previous administrations.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), CZ stated, "I have had no discussions of a Binance US deal with...well, anyone." He highlighted the numerous inquiries he received from media outlets following the WSJ report.
The WSJ report claimed Binance reached out to Trump's allies in 2024, proposing a business arrangement to bolster its US operations. The article also mentioned CZ seeking a pardon from the President. CZ refuted this, stating that over 20 individuals informed him of being contacted by the WSJ and another news outlet, asking to confirm whether he had "made some deal for a pardon."
CZ further commented that the article felt like "an attack on the President and crypto," linking it to "residual forces of the 'war on crypto' from the last administration." He emphasized his unique legal situation, stating he was "the only one in US history who was ever sentenced to prison for a single BSA charge."
While acknowledging that "no felon would mind a pardon," CZ reiterated his dedication to advancing crypto globally, emphasizing his focus on making "crypto great everywhere, US and the rest of the world."
This denial follows CZ's earlier dismissal of rumors surrounding a potential Binance sale. However, he hinted at future possibilities for limited investment, stating that Binance may allow "some investments in the single-digit percentage range" in the future.
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