CZ Denies Romance Rumors After Binance Blockchain Week Moment

Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has publicly shut down online rumors suggesting a romantic connection with a female crypto influencer following a brief onstage interaction at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai. The speculation emerged after a viral moment during CZ’s December 4 debate with outspoken gold advocate Peter Schiff, an event that quickly gained traction across crypto social media.

During the debate, a crypto KOL known as Tintin, who is affiliated with the Aster project, walked onstage and handed CZ a “magic box” containing a heavy gold item. The lighthearted exchange, meant as a promotional stunt, was captured on video and later amplified when Tintin jokingly tweeted that the box was “real f**king heavy.” The clip became the most replayed segment of the debate’s YouTube recording, sparking widespread chatter, particularly in Chinese-speaking crypto communities.

What began as harmless buzz soon evolved into unfounded gossip about a possible romance between CZ and the influencer. CZ responded directly on X, dismissing the rumors with humor and clarity. He remarked that the presence of gossip suggested a slow market and explained that his interaction with Tintin was minimal, consisting of only three messages and a brief 10-minute meeting before the debate. According to CZ, the decision for her to appear onstage was made spontaneously, with no prior planning or personal connection.

The timing of the rumors drew additional attention because they surfaced just days after Yi He, CZ’s long-term partner and the mother of his three children, was appointed co-CEO of Binance on December 3. Announced by Binance CEO Richard Teng at the same event, her promotion marked one of the most significant leadership updates since CZ stepped down in 2023. Yi He later emphasized that her professional role is independent of her personal life and that her achievements as a co-founder should stand on their own.

Beyond social media gossip, CZ remains focused on global expansion efforts. In mid-December, he visited Pakistan with Richard Teng and Tron founder Justin Sun to meet Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The visit coincided with Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority granting no-objection certificates to Binance and HTX, allowing them to move closer to full licensing. As an adviser to the Pakistan Crypto Council since April 2024, CZ continues to play an active role in shaping crypto adoption, making it clear that rumors won’t distract from Binance’s broader mission.