Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has come out to clear up rumors about a romantic relationship that arose during a brief meeting with a female KOL at the Binance Blockchain Week event in Dubai.
The news started on December 4 when CZ had to take the stage to debate with Peter Schiff, a gold supporter, which was a highly anticipated debate. During that time, Tintin, an influencer in the crypto industry associated with the Aster project, took the stage.
CZ responded back.
She presented a magical box to CZ, which contained a heavy gold bar. The event was recorded on video and later gained more attention when Tintin tweeted that the box was 'incredibly heavy,' making it the most replayed moment in the debate clip on YouTube.
Initially, this event was just a humorous promotion, but it soon became a gossip topic in the crypto community speaking Chinese, with some people making up stories that the two had a special relationship.
CZ, who does not let rumors linger, responded directly through a post on X.
The crypto market must really be quiet if there are rumors about me. Everyone probably has little to do, he joked.
He then explained the facts that the talks with Tintin consisted of only three messages and they met for about 10 minutes before going on stage. The decision to present the box on stage was sudden, with no prior arrangements.
It’s better to mind other people's business. I heard who is with whom… He added with a hint of sarcasm.
This rumor came just a few days after Yi He, CZ's long-time partner and mother of their three children, was appointed co-CEO of Binance on December 3. This appointment, announced by CEO Richard Teng at the Binance Blockchain Week, is considered the biggest leadership change since CZ stepped down from CEO in 2023.
When asked about the conflict between personal roles and work duties, Yi He clearly drew a line.
My personal life is always separate from my work life, she told reporters in Dubai. As a co-founder, I often do not receive recognition for my achievements and abilities when my personal life is questioned.
At the same time, CZ is still focused on working in Pakistan.
Although there have been rumors about love, CZ continues to focus on expanding Binance's reach globally. On December 12, he traveled to Pakistan with Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, and Justin Sun, founder of Tron, to meet with the Minister of Finance, Muhammad Aurangzeb.
This visit coincided with a significant regulatory event, as Pakistan's virtual asset regulatory authority (PVARA) issued a license certification to both Binance and HTX, paving the way for both platforms to proceed with applying for full licenses in the country.
Teng stated that this represents an important step for Binance in Pakistan and pointed out that the platform has received AML registration from PVARA. He also mentioned that he looks forward to collaborating to create a secure, transparent digital asset ecosystem that is ready for the future.
CZ has served as an advisor to Pakistan's crypto council since April 2024, and it seems that this South Asian country aims to position itself as a crypto hub in the region.
As for the rumors about Tintin, it seems CZ is moving forward, even though the crypto industry continues to have rumors.
