Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has denied rumors that he has been “shot” by US federal law enforcement agencies, which are “widespread” on the Chinese messaging platform, in a recent tweet.
In a tweet on March 4, CZ addressed the false speculation spread on the Chinese messaging platform WeChat, admitting that he was “shot” by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), taking the opportunity to express the close working relationship that exists between them. Binance and the FBI.
Someone took this photo, and it went viral on WeChat in China. They said I was shot by the FBI, who worked with our team… ♂️ 4. pic.twitter.com/2Iz7c1QgA8
– CZ Binance (@cz_binance) March 3, 2023
He wrote the number “4,” at the end of the tweet, indicating the date January 3rd tweet about simplifying its goals for 2023.
He listed his 4th goal as a reminder to ignore FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt), fake news, attacks, and other distractions.
The first 3 goals listed are focused on education, compliance as well as products and services.
Not long after, CZ retweeted a tweet from a user who asked, “Brother Peng, I heard that you were biu-biued by the FBI? If it’s true, you just nod and sign [translated].”
If you’re selling fake photoshopped pictures, I feel sorry for you, but don’t… https://t.co/pRfC2Jsqz5
– CZ Binance (@cz_binance) March 3, 2023
Users have circled the text on the image which states “Zhao Changpeng was shot dead by the FBI [translated].”
related: Binance CEO responds to Forbes claims: ‘He doesn’t know how the exchange works’
Harry Denley, Metamask security analyst, compared the event spread false rumors about Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin in 2017 about “death in a car accident.”
Denley called the rumors about CZ a “2023 adaptation of an attempt to manipulate the market,” and suggested that CZ conduct a “proof of life” with the hash of the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) block.
It was previously announced in October 2022 that Binance.US hired former FBI special agent BJ Kang to lead the investigation unit, which aims to combat illegal activities on the platform.
He was once dubbed “the most feared man on Wall Street” by Reuters after being photographed arresting Bernie Madoff – who was found guilty of running the biggest Ponzi scheme to date.
In more recent news, CZ, along with Binance.US CEO Brian Shroder, was sent a letter on March 1 from three United States senators, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen and Roger Marshall, demanding more information about Binance’s finances.
The senators stated that the “little information” available about Binance’s finances, suggests that the exchange is a “hotbed of illegal financial activity.”