Changpeng Zhao
CFTC Sues Binance and Founder Changpeng Zhao; Microstrategy Pays off Silvergate Loan
Crypto exchange Binance and founder Changpeng Zhao are being sued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over allegations that the company knowingly offered unregistered crypto derivatives products in the U.S. against federal law. Separately, a filing with the SEC shows that MicroStrategy (MSTR) prepaid the remaining principal on its $205 million loan from failed Silvergate Bank.
Binance Temporarily Pauses Spot Trading
Crypto exchange Binance suspended spot trading amid an issue on the world's most-used trading platform for cryptocurrencies. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao said in a follow-up tweet that the issue is expected to be resolved in the coming hours and that the trading pause was a safety measure.
Binance to Convert $1B Worth of BUSD to Bitcoin, Ether, BNB and Other Tokens
Crypto exchange Binance said it would convert $1 billion worth of Binance USD (BUSD) to bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH), BNB coin (BNB) and other tokens to support the market. "The Hash" panel discusses the transaction from Binance’s industry fund to BUSD, which Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao said on Twitter took 5 seconds and cost only $1.29.
Binance Can’t Keep Its Story Straight on Misplaced $1.8B USDC
The FUD is coming from inside the building, says David Z. Morris, CoinDesk's chief insights columnist.
CZ Responds to Forbes Report that Binance Moved $1.8B in Stablecoin Collateral to Hedge Funds Last Year
Forbes reports that Binance moved $1.8 billion of collateral meant to back its customers' stablecoins to hedge funds last year. In a tweet, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, also known as "CZ," responded to the article, stating in part "they referred to some old blockchain transactions that our clients have done." The co-author of the article and Forbes Director of Data and Analytics Javier Paz, responds to CZ's tweet on "First Mover."
Binance CEO Says Many Crypto Players ‘Get Distracted’ by Money
Changpeng Zhao said it’s important to focus on the technology.
WazirX's Proof-of-Reserves Report Shows 90% of User Assets Are in Binance Wallets
Indian crypto exchange WazirX released its proof of reserves report that disclosed 90% of its user assets are held in Binance wallets. "The Hash" panel discusses the Twitter drama between WazirX and Binance CEO Changpeng "CZ" Zhao.
Binance's CZ Welcomes 'Stress Test' as Exchange Resumes USDC Withdrawals
The world's largest crypto exchange by trading volume has endured a wave a withdrawals amid concerns about reserves. Withdrawals of the stablecoin USDC were paused for several hours but have now resumed.
Do Kwon Reportedly in Serbia; Future of FTX’s Political Donations
U.S. prosecutors are considering criminal charges against crypto exchange Binance and individual executives, including founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao, Reuters reports. Do Kwon, wanted internationally in connection with Terra's collapse, has moved to Serbia through Dubai, according to CoinDesk Korea. And Bloomberg reports that at least $73 million of political donations tied to Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX may be at risk of being clawed back.
And Then There Was One
In an astonishing six months as crypto winter hobbled even well-funded crypto companies, Binance defended its position at the top of all crypto exchanges and took down its $40 billion rival, FTX. That’s why Changpeng Zhao is one of CoinDesk’s Most Influential 2022.
