Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, the founder of Binance, made headlines on social media with a reflection on his past year and a bold statement about the future.
On January 3, 2025, Zhao posted a tweet on X (Twitter) marking the second anniversary of his tweet from 2023, where he laid out his goals for the year.
CZ Looks Back in Time
In his recent post, he humorously commented on the simplicity of his earlier tweet, noting that he should have made “4” the “0”th point. He also declared that 2025 would be a “send it” year, signalling his readiness for new challenges and opportunities ahead.
This tweet was a follow-up to his 2023 message where he outlined his personal and professional priorities for the year. His 2023 agenda focused on education, compliance, and enhancing Binance’s products and services.
He also emphasized ignoring fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD), as well as fake news and attacks. Zhao’s 2023 tweet ended with a request for people to link back to it whenever he mentioned “4” in future posts, reinforcing his commitment to focus on the essentials and disregard distractions.
Legal Trouble for Binance and CZ
In a more serious development, Binance and its former CEO have found themselves embroiled in a legal battle with FTX. FTX has filed a lawsuit against Binance Holdings and Changpeng Zhao in an attempt to recover nearly $1.8 billion.
The lawsuit claims that Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of FTX, fraudulently transferred the funds, and Binance and Zhao are accused of being involved in the illegal transactions. This legal battle adds to the ongoing scrutiny faced by Binance, which has been dealing with regulatory and legal challenges in multiple countries.
CZ’s Public Appearance and Continued Influence
Despite stepping back from the day-to-day management of Binance following a plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice and serving time in prison, Changpeng Zhao continues to be a significant figure in the crypto industry.
His recent appearance at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai was a testament to his enduring popularity and influence. He was warmly greeted by both fans and investors, further cementing his status as a crypto pioneer, even as his legal issues and the regulatory landscape around Binance continue to evolve.
Controversy Over Selfie Misuse
In another incident, Zhao found himself at the centre of a social media controversy involving the Indian blockchain company 5ireChain. The controversy erupted when 5ireChain posted a selfie of their CEO, Pratik Gauri, with CZ at an event, accompanied by the caption, “What’s cooking?”
Zhao swiftly responded on Twitter, stating that the selfie was misused and clarifying that there was no significant conversation or collaboration between him and Gauri.
“This is exactly how NOT to use a selfie with me. Nothing is cooking. Didn’t even have a chat. Just a selfie at an event,” he remarked, emphasizing that the photo was taken out of context.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With the new year now underway, Changpeng Zhao’s reflections on 2023 and his declaration for 2025 suggest that he is prepared to embrace whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead.
Despite ongoing legal hurdles, controversies, and scrutiny from regulators, Zhao’s resilience and determination to push forward remain evident.
His focus on ignoring distractions and sticking to his core goals could be a defining characteristic of the coming year for both him and Binance, as the crypto world continues to evolve and face new regulatory and market dynamics.
Also Read: Former Binance CEO Zhao’s First Tweet After Prison Is About Crypto Investments