Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, the founder of crypto exchange Binance, has publicly rejected claims from The Wall Street Journal that connect him to a politically sensitive crypto initiative linked to the U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a statement, CZ said he had “absolutely no involvement” with the project called World Liberty Finance (WLF). He also pushed back on the WSJ article, calling its questions “biased” and based on false assumptions. CZ made it clear that he has no personal connections to the individuals named in the report and dismissed the story as untrue.
What Did the WSJ Say?
According to the Wall Street Journal, CZ allegedly acted as a “fixer” for WLF, a crypto project that claims to support Trump’s political agenda and is said to be backed by people close to him. The report suggested that WLF was seeking well-known crypto figures to strengthen its image and gain influence. CZ’s name appeared in that context—although the article didn’t offer concrete evidence of his direct involvement.
Who Is CZ?
Changpeng Zhao is one of the most influential figures in the cryptocurrency space. As the founder of Binance, the world’s top crypto exchanges by trading volume, CZ has become a central figure in both innovation and controversy. He’s well known for his strong stance on decentralization and has regularly faced questions from regulators around the globe.
CZ’s denial is aimed at protecting his image and distancing himself from politically sensitive projects like WLF. So far, he’s firmly said: this story doesn’t involve him.
As the crypto world grows and starts to overlap more with politics, concerns about power, trust, and transparency continue to rise. CZ’s response may clear the air for now, but whether global investors and observers accept it, or if new information will emerge, is still uncertain.