Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, isn’t staying quiet. The former Binance CEO has publicly rejected claims from a recent Wall Street Journal article that accused him of helping broker international deals for a crypto startup tied to Donald Trump’s inner circle.
In a strongly worded thread on X, CZ called the story misleading and said the narrative had been twisted to fit an agenda. CZ denies any involvement in helping broker deals for World Liberty Financial, a crypto project tied to Trump’s inner circle.
What the WSJ Claimed
According to the article, CZ allegedly played a behind-the-scenes role in helping World Liberty Financial (WLF) expand its reach. Zach Witkoff co-founded the cryptocurrency venture WLF, and maintains close ties with Trump family members.
The WSJ story focused on a meeting in Pakistan between WLF and entrepreneur Bilal bin Saqib. It claimed CZ helped facilitate that connection, which later led to WLF signing a memorandum of understanding with a government-backed organization in the country.
In short, the paper suggested that CZ acted as a quiet connector, smoothing the path for WLF’s global ambitions.
CZ Fires Back
CZ wasted no time responding. In a detailed X post, CZ denies claims that he introduced WLF to foreign partners or played any role in its expansion.
Another hit piece from Wall Street Journal. WSJ instead of doing journalism, has pretty much resorted to Cunningham’s Law, with negative intentions.
“Cunningham’s Law: The best way to get the right answer on the Internet is not to ask a question; it’s to post the wrong answer.”…
— CZ
BNB (@cz_binance) May 23, 2025
He posted a direct denial, stating, “I am not a fixer for anyone.” He said he only met Bilal bin Saqib in person during a trip to Pakistan and had no role in any meeting between Saqib and WLF. According to him, Saqib and WLF had already been in contact long before he was in the picture.
His message was clear: there’s no secret deal-making going on behind closed doors, and his name is being dragged into something he had nothing to do with.
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Not Just Denial, A Critique of the Process
CZ denies the story published by the WSJ, arguing it ignored clarifications provided by his team ahead of publication. Beyond defending himself, CZ took issue with how the story was reported. He said that the WSJ had sent a list of questions to his team in advance, but those questions were filled with bad assumptions. He claims his team provided clarifications and corrections, but none of that made it into the final article.
He also pointed to what he sees as a trend in journalism, writing something controversial first, then letting the backlash bring in attention and corrections after the fact. He referenced Cunningham’s Law to describe this: the idea that the fastest way to get the right answer on the internet is to post the wrong one.
In his view, the WSJ leaned into a version of the story that was more dramatic than accurate.
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Why This Is Getting So Much Attention
World Liberty Financial isn’t just any crypto project. Its ties to Trump’s family and growing international presence have already raised eyebrows. The crypto space has long thrived in a grey area where influence and connections hold sway. When politics enters the picture, the complexities deepen.
The mere suggestion that someone like CZ could be using his network to help WLF win foreign deals was always going to grab headlines — which is likely part of what frustrated him most.
What Happens Next?
At this point, there’s no official fallout, and CZ hasn’t indicated that he’ll be taking legal action. But the situation highlights how sensitive the intersection of crypto, politics, and media has become. When high-profile names are involved, especially across countries and political lines, stories like this aren’t going away anytime soon.
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- CZ has denied claims from the Wall Street Journal that he facilitated global deals for Trump-linked crypto project World Liberty Financial.
- The WSJ report alleged CZ helped connect WLF with foreign figures in Pakistan, leading to a signed agreement with a government-backed group.
- CZ responded on X, calling the claims false and asserting he had no role in any WLF-related meetings or agreements.
- He also criticized the WSJ’s reporting process, saying his team gave clarifications that were ignored in favor of a more dramatic narrative.
- This controversy underscores growing tensions at the intersection of crypto, media, and politics — especially when high-profile names are involved.
The post CZ Slams WSJ for Claiming He Helped Trump-Linked Crypto Deal appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
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