Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has denied dating rumors following a brief interaction with a female KOL at the Binance Blockchain Week event in Dubai.
It all started on December 4, 2023, when CZ debated directly with gold advocate Peter Schiff in a highly publicized meeting. During this time, Tintin – an influential figure in the crypto industry and a member of the Aster project – took the stage.
CZ responded strongly.
She gave CZ a “magic box” containing a very heavy golden item. This moment was captured on video, and Tintin later tweeted that the box was “really heavy.” This video became the most- XEM part of the entire YouTube debate.
What started as a lighthearted promotional stunt gradually spread throughout the Chinese-speaking crypto community, turning into speculation about a romantic relationship between the two.
CZ, Capital for speaking out clearly against rumors, proactively Chia these speculations in a post on X.
"Now there are rumors about me again? The market must be too quiet, so everyone has nothing to do," CZ wrote humorously.
He later clarified that his entire exchange with Tintin consisted of only three text messages and a meeting that lasted about 10 minutes before the debate. The decision to have someone go on stage to hand him the box was entirely spontaneous and not pre-arranged.
"Everyone should mind their own business. I heard there's more to this person and that person..." he added, somewhat sarcastically.
Source: Binance (via YouTube)The moment that attracted attention.
The rumors were "blown up" just days after Yi He – CZ's longtime partner and mother of their three children – was appointed co-CEO of Binance on December 3, 2023. The appointment, announced by CEO Richard Teng at Binance Blockchain Week, marked the most significant leadership transition since CZ left the position in 2023.
When asked about the possibility of conflict between personal and work life, Yi He answered decisively.
"My personal life is completely separate from my work," she Chia with reporters in Dubai. "Many people only focus on my private life and overlook my achievements and true capabilities as a co-founder."
Meanwhile, CZ remains busy in Pakistan.
Putting romantic matters aside, CZ remains focused on expanding Binance's global operations. On December 12, 2023, he visited Pakistan with Binance CEO Richard Teng and TRON founder Justin Sun to meet with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
This trip coincided with a significant legal breakthrough for Pakistan: the Pakistan Virtual Asset Management Authority (PVARA) granted certificates of no objection to both Binance and HTX, paving the way for these exchanges to apply for full operating licenses in the country.
“This is a significant milestone for Binance in Pakistan,” Teng Chia on X, noting that the exchange has been granted AML certification by PVARA. “We look forward to working together to build a safe, transparent, and future-ready digital asset ecosystem.”
CZ has been an advisor to the Crypto Council Pakistan since April 2024, and it seems Pakistan is also aiming to become a crypto-friendly country in South Asia.
And what about the rumors involving Tintin? It seems CZ has stopped caring, although the community is still buzzing about it.
