Binance co-founder and former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has pushed again towards a report in The Wall Road Journal, calling it a “hit piece” crammed with inaccuracies and destructive assumptions.
In an X put up, Zhao criticized the publication’s portrayal of his alleged involvement with World Liberty Monetary, the decentralized finance undertaking backed by a enterprise entity affiliated with US President Donald Trump. Trump’s sons — Eric and Donald Jr. —are concerned within the administration of the corporate.
Zhao stated the WSJ article portrayed him as performing as a “fixer” for the WLF workforce and its co-founder Zach Witkoff throughout international journeys.
The article steered Zhao facilitated introductions and conferences for WLF leaders throughout international journeys, together with a go to to Pakistan that reportedly resulted in a memorandum of understanding with a neighborhood official.
“I’m not a fixer for anybody,” Zhao stated, firmly denying that he linked Pakistani official “Mr. Saqib” with WLF or organized any engagements overseas. “That they had recognized one another manner again, whereas I solely met with Mr. Saqib for the primary time in Pakistan.”
WSJ reviews on Steve and Zach Witkoff
Zhao’s response follows a WSJ investigation highlighting a fancy string of diplomatic and enterprise pursuits involving WLF.
The report raised considerations in regards to the blurred traces between public duties and personal pursuits and targeted on diplomatic and enterprise dealings involving WLF co-founders Steve Witkoff and his son, Zach Witkoff. Steve Witkoff serves because the US Particular Envoy to the Center East beneath the Trump administration, whereas Zach Witkoff has been concerned in securing a reported $2 billion crypto deal.
The report raised questions on whether or not diplomatic efforts overlapped with non-public crypto ventures, and implied Zhao might have been making an attempt to curry favor with the Trump administration
On Might 6, Zhao confirmed that he’s seeking a pardon from the Trump administration for his earlier cash laundering conviction.
The report additionally highlighted that WLFI, which raised over $600 million in token gross sales, doesn’t disclose the names of all its buyers other than some publicly recognized ones like Tron founder Justin Solar, who attended Trump’s memecoin dinner on Might 22.
Trump hosted the dinner for the most important buyers of his Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin. Solar, Magic Eden CEO Jack Lu and BitMart CEO Sheldon Xia had been amongst attendees and shared photographs of the occasion.
Associated: Binance scores legal win as UK court partially dismisses Bitcoin SV lawsuit
Zhao claims the WSJ report is an “assault” on crypto
Zhao claimed the WSJ submitted a listing of questions containing what he described as “unsuitable and destructive assumptions.” He and his public relations workforce responded by declaring a number of factual inaccuracies, he stated, however concluded that the article was “constructed on a flawed narrative.”
Zhao slammed the WSJ, calling it a “mouthpiece” for anti-crypto forces in america. He stated the forces behind the publication wish to hinder efforts to make the US a crypto capital.
“They wish to assault crypto, international crypto leaders and the pro-crypto administration,” CZ claimed, saying the article is a part of a broader effort to stifle the business’s development within the US.
This isn’t the primary time Zhao has clapped again on the WSJ just lately. In an April 11 report, the publication cited nameless sources alleging that Zhao agreed to testify towards Tron founder Justin Solar as he settled with US prosecutors.
CZ dismissed the report, saying that individuals who develop into authorities witnesses don’t go to jail and are protected. CZ additionally claimed that somebody paid WSJ workers to smear his identify.
Journal: Crypto scam hub expose stunt goes viral, Kakao detects 70K scam apps: Asia Express
Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra Binance co-founder CZ denies ‘fixer’ claims, slams WSJ report cointelegraph.com 2025-05-23 11:53:53
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