Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, co-founder of Binance, came forward to clarify rumors that arose after a brief interaction with a KOL during Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai.
The comments began on December 4, during the debate between CZ and Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff. At one point during the event, Tintin — a crypto influencer linked to the Aster project — took the stage and handed CZ a "magic box" containing a heavy gold item. The segment went viral, especially after Tintin commented on social media that the box was "very heavy."
What started as a promotional action turned into speculation in the crypto communities, leading some users to imply a personal relationship between the two.
CZ decided to respond directly on X, mocking the situation:
"Are they now creating gossip about me? The market must be slow if this has become a topic."
He then clarified the facts: the interaction boiled down to three exchanged messages and a quick meeting of about 10 minutes before the debate. The delivery of the box on stage, according to him, was entirely spontaneous, with no prior planning.
The rumors emerged a few days after Yi He — CZ's long-time partner and mother of his three children — took on the role of co-CEO of Binance on December 3, in one of the biggest leadership changes at the exchange since CZ's departure in 2023.
When asked about the mix between personal and professional life, Yi He was direct:
"My personal life is separate from my professional work. My achievements as a co-founder are often overlooked when my private life becomes news."
Meanwhile, focus on expansion
As rumors circulated, CZ kept his agenda focused on Binance's global expansion. On December 12, he was in Pakistan alongside CEO Richard Teng and Tron founder Justin Sun for meetings with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
The visit coincided with an important regulatory advance: the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) granted no objection certificates to Binance and HTX, paving the way for full licensing in the country.
Since April 2024, CZ has been serving as an advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council, as the country seeks to position itself as a favorable hub for digital assets in the region.
