Binance founder addresses speculation about brief interaction
Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, has publicly denied rumors of a romantic connection with a crypto influencer. The speculation started after a brief on-stage interaction during Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai earlier this month.
CZ explained that his entire interaction with Tintin, the influencer associated with the Aster project, consisted of just three messages exchanged and a ten-minute meeting before his debate with gold advocate Peter Schiff. The moment that sparked the rumors came when Tintin handed CZ a “magic box” containing a heavy gold item during the debate session.
“There’s gossip about me now? The market must be really slow—everyone’s got nothing better to do,” CZ wrote on X, addressing the rumors directly. He clarified that having someone hand him the box on stage was a last-minute decision, not something planned in advance.
Timing raises questions
The rumors emerged just days after Yi He, CZ’s long-term partner and mother of his three children, was promoted to co-CEO of Binance on December 3. This leadership change was announced by CEO Richard Teng during the same Dubai event where the speculation began.
When asked about potential conflicts between her personal and professional roles, Yi He maintained clear boundaries. “My personal life is independent from my professional life,” she told reporters in Dubai. She noted that her achievements as co-founder often get overlooked when people focus on her personal relationships.
Business continues amid speculation
While the gossip circulated online, CZ remained focused on Binance’s expansion efforts. On December 12, he visited Pakistan alongside Binance CEO Richard Teng and Tron founder Justin Sun for meetings with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
The timing was significant—Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority had just issued no-objection certificates to both Binance and HTX, clearing the path for full licensing in the country. CZ has served as an adviser to the Pakistan Crypto Council since April 2024, and the country appears to be positioning itself as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction in South Asia.
During the Pakistan visit, CZ shared a practical crypto use case on social media. “In the car, my roaming didn’t work, so I borrowed Justin’s hotspot, bought an eSIM, PAID IN CRYPTO,” he wrote. He added that Sun “learned something new” from the experience.
Richard Teng called the Pakistan development “a meaningful milestone for Binance,” noting that the exchange has obtained AML registration from the local regulator. The company looks forward to building what they describe as a safe and transparent digital asset ecosystem in the country.
As for the romance rumors, CZ seems to have moved on, even if some corners of the crypto community haven’t. He ended his statement about the speculation with a sarcastic deflection: “Go pay attention to someone else. I heard somebody and somebody…”
The whole episode perhaps shows how quickly minor interactions can become amplified in crypto circles, especially during slow market periods when people might be looking for entertainment beyond price charts.
