Changpeng Zhao, the founder and former CEO of Binance, has found himself embroiled in a controversy following a recent article by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The article claimed that Zhao was acting as a “fixer” for World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a DeFi venture linked to the Donald Trump family.
The WSJ report alleged that Zhao had facilitated international introductions for WLFI, including engagements in countries like Pakistan. However, Zhao vehemently denied these claims in a post on X, stating that the article was misleading and accused the publication of distorting facts to fit a narrative.
Addressing the “fixer” allegations, Zhao refuted the suggestion that he had arranged introductions between Bilal Bin Saqib, head of the Pakistan Crypto Council, and WLFI. He clarified that he did not connect Saqib with the WLFI team and had no role in organizing WLFI’s foreign visits.
This dispute with WSJ is not the first for Zhao. In a previous incident, he dismissed claims that he had agreed to cooperate against Justin Sun as part of a plea deal with US authorities. He also denied reports suggesting that President Trump had sought an investment in Binance.
Zhao criticized WSJ’s reporting approach, likening it to Cunningham’s Law, which states that the best way to get the correct answer is to post the wrong one. He accused WSJ of having negative intentions and using their stories to undermine the crypto industry and its leaders.
In conclusion, Zhao pointed out that there are forces in the US that are working to hinder efforts to make the US the capital of crypto. He criticized WSJ for being a mouthpiece for these anti-crypto interests.
This ongoing conflict between Zhao and WSJ highlights the challenges faced by prominent figures in the crypto industry when dealing with traditional media outlets. Despite these obstacles, Zhao remains steadfast in his commitment to advancing the crypto industry and its global leaders.