Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has deleted an X post in which he denied involvement in Kyrgyzstan’s newly approved Bereket Bank, a digital asset-focused commercial institution designed to attract foreign investment.
The deletion follows Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov’s public statement in a local media interview that Zhao proposed creating a private crypto bank during a meeting in May 2024.
Japarov stressed the bank operates as a private business with no state ownership or family control, despite the family connection.
The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan approved Bereket Bank to advance the country’s crypto strategy, with reports indicating that President Japarov’s son, Nurdoolot, serves as a founder alongside former Parliament Speaker Marat Sultanov.
He said he never suggested starting a bank, has no interest in running one, and didn’t recognize the name mentioned. However, the post refuting these claims was subsequently removed from his X account without explanation, raising questions about the accuracy of his denial. The contradiction emerged after a Coin Bureau report linked Zhao to the bank’s establishment, prompting the publication to issue a correction.
Zhao initially responded to media reports claiming he proposed the bank’s creation by stating the claim was false.
“Isn’t it better for them to be busy with their personal affairs rather than getting involved in government affairs?” Japarov said in the interview. He added that Zhao’s presence in Kyrgyzstan is a sign of international confidence in the country’s efforts to combat corruption and its commitment to development.
Japarov defended his son’s participation by explaining that both Nurdoolot and his brother, Rustam, hold degrees in economics and finance, and focus on attracting foreign investors rather than pursuing political roles.
In April, the National Investment Agency under Japarov’s office signed a memorandum of understanding with Zhao to develop the country’s cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem, including infrastructural support, technical consulting, and educational initiatives. By October, Zhao announced multiple milestones during the National Council for the Development of Virtual Assets and Blockchain Technologies meeting.
Despite his denial, Zhao has maintained extensive collaboration with Kyrgyzstan’s government throughout 2024 and into 2025.
