Changpeng Zhao revisits a familiar phrase during another deep Bitcoin correction, while rejecting claims that Binance fueled the market slide.
Key Points
- Changpeng Zhao tweeted “Poor again,” referencing his 2022 post to highlight Bitcoin’s cyclical volatility, not his personal wealth.
- Bitcoin has dropped roughly 50% from its October 6, 2025, peak of $126,080, trading near $64,731.
- The cryptocurrency lost more than 20% in the past week amid tightening liquidity and macroeconomic pressures.
- Zhao rejected claims that Binance sold Bitcoin to trigger the price decline, attributing the movements to user withdrawals.
“Poor Again”
As Bitcoin prices slid sharply in recent days, the Binance founder drew attention with a short but pointed post on X. “Poor again,” Zhao wrote, reviving a phrase he had used during previous market downturns.
The remark was deliberately nostalgic. Zhao linked it directly to a January 2022 post, when Bitcoin fell from roughly $67,000 to near $30,000 before eventually rebounding. By invoking that episode, he framed his comment as a reflection on crypto’s cyclical nature rather than a literal statement about his wealth.
This historical reference immediately prompted comparisons across the crypto community. Indeed, observers noted that both statements followed strong rallies and surfaced during periods of heightened volatility.
Poor again. 😂
(last time I posted this was when bitcoin dropped from $67k to $30k ish. Did alright in the end.) https://t.co/8NIzNllVS2
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) February 5, 2026
Bitcoin Retreats Sharply from October Peak
For context, Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $126,080 on October 6, 2025, but has since lost roughly half its value.
At the time of writing, the world’s largest cryptocurrency was trading near $64,731 after touching $60,000 earlier today. The downturn has accelerated, with prices falling more than 20% over the past week alone. The speed of the decline has unsettled traders already grappling with tightening liquidity and broader macroeconomic pressures.
Against this backdrop, Zhao’s remarks struck many as a reminder that sharp reversals have long been part of Bitcoin’s history.
Zhao Pushes Back on Selloff Claims
As the market slid, speculation intensified around the causes of the downturn. Earlier in the week, Zhao addressed what he described as exaggerated and misleading narratives aimed at both himself and Binance.
In a post on X, he rejected claims that Binance had sold Bitcoin to trigger a drop below $75,000. Zhao said changes in the exchange’s wallet balances reflect user withdrawals, not proprietary trading. According to his explanation, the Bitcoin involved belonged to customers using the platform.
Supercycle Debate and SAFU Scrutiny Resurface
Zhao also revisited criticism related to the long-discussed crypto “supercycle”. Some commentators argued that his earlier remarks had weakened confidence in the idea. However, Zhao clarified that he had only said he was less certain than before, not that the thesis was invalid.
At the same time, he defended Binance’s handling of its Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU). Zhao said the exchange plans to shift SAFU holdings from stablecoins into Bitcoin over a 30-day timeframe, with purchases executed gradually through centralized markets. He pointed to Binance’s liquidity as a key factor in that approach.
These explanations came amid sustained scrutiny of Binance’s influence on market dynamics.
Flash Crash Fallout Keeps Binance in Focus
The debate has been further shaped by lingering concerns over the October 10 flash crash. That sudden market move wiped out about $19 billion in leveraged positions and strained liquidity in the crypto market.
Some industry figures continue to assign blame. Star Xu, founder of rival exchange OKX, has publicly accused Binance of contributing to the crash. Nevertheless, Zhao has maintained that broader market dynamics and user-driven activity were at play.
Taken together, Zhao’s comments highlight the tension between short-term turbulence and long-term perspective in crypto markets. By pointing back to the 2022 downturn and its eventual recovery, he suggested that severe corrections are not anomalies but recurring features of Bitcoin’s evolution.
