Former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has strongly denied claims that he agreed to provide evidence against Tron founder Justin Sun as part of a plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published a report on April 11 citing unnamed sources who alleged that CZ’s cooperation with prosecutors included testifying against Sun—an arrangement that “hasn’t previously been reported.”
CZ Responds: “People Who Cooperate Don’t Go to Prison”
Taking to X on April 12, CZ pushed back against the claims with sharp criticism of the Journal’s reporting:
WSJ is really TRYING here. They seem to have forgotten who went to prison and who didn’t. People who become gov witnesses don’t go to prison. They are protected. I heard someone paid WSJ employees to smear me.
Zhao served a four-month prison sentence in 2024 for violations of anti-money laundering laws. He was released on September 27 and, with an estimated $60 billion net worth at the time, became the wealthiest individual to serve a U.S. prison sentence.
He further claimed that multiple people had warned him the Journal was preparing a “hit piece” against him.
Justin Sun Responds: “CZ Is a Mentor and Close Friend”
Tron founder Justin Sun, also posting on April 11, said he was unaware of the rumors circulating about CZ and dismissed any suggestion of bad blood. Sun described CZ as a “mentor and close friend,” according to a statement reported by Cointelegraph.
CZ Hints at Lobbying Campaign Against Him
In a separate post, CZ suggested that lobbying efforts might be behind the recent negative headlines:
I also heard some rumors about some players ‘lobbying’ against us again in the US.
This isn’t the first time CZ has raised concerns about behind-the-scenes efforts to discredit Binance. In late 2023, he accused the now-defunct FTX of lobbying regulators to target Binance, referencing a Federal Newswire report.
Alexander Stefanov
Reporter at Coindoo
Alex is an experienced finance journalist and a cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain and fintech industries, he deeply understands the complex and constantly evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His passionate approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and insightful content. Follow up on his content to be up to date with the most important trends and topics.
Source: https://coindoo.com/cz-slams-wsj-report-alleging-he-agreed-to-testify-against-justin-sun/