CZ Says FT Report on YZi Labs Could Be Misleading as BNB Sentiment Remains Positive

• CZ refuted FT claims about YZi Labs and past charges.

• CZ and YZi Labs leadership said the FT interview misrepresented facts and intent.

• Santiment data showed BNB’s weighted sentiment stayed positive and the token reclaimed the $1,000 level.

CZ YZi Labs response front-loaded: CZ denies FT claims about YZi Labs; read the update and market impact. Stay informed — follow COINOTAG for verified coverage.

What did CZ say about the FT report on YZi Labs?

CZ YZi Labs: Changpeng Zhao said the Financial Times’ report mischaracterized YZi Labs and his prior legal plea. He stated the fund was not “spun out” of Binance and that his admitted charge was a single BSA violation related to anti-money-laundering controls, not theft of user funds.

Why did CZ call the FT report “fake”?

CZ publicly described the article as pushing a negative narrative. He claimed reporters initially sought a positive introduction but framed YZi Labs and his past charges inaccurately. Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs, described the interview setup as a “trap” aimed at a different agenda.

Source: X

How did YZi Labs leadership respond?

Ella Zhang said YZi Labs representatives were frustrated by the encounter with reporters and asserted the interview was positioned as an introductory call. She emphasized that portfolio companies raising external capital does not mean the fund itself is seeking outside investors.

“Any VC’s portfolio companies will raise from multiple investors; YZi Labs is simply one of the minority shareholders,” Zhang said, clarifying the fund’s role within its portfolio.

Source: X

What is YZi Labs’ focus and background?

YZi Labs, led by CZ and Ella Zhang, is an independent investment firm focused on crypto, AI, and biotech. The firm rebranded from Binance Labs earlier this year and now backs a range of projects, including crypto treasury firms such as Hash Global and B Strategy.

After completing his Department of Justice sentence, CZ refocused on education and later became active in investment through YZi Labs. The firm is described in public reporting as a sizable investor with a broad portfolio; public figures reference it supporting over 250 startups and Web3 companies, and its parent investment operations are reported at a multibillion-dollar scale.

Did the FT coverage affect BNB market sentiment?

BNB sentiment remained resilient. Santiment data showed BNB’s Weighted Sentiment stayed positive during the coverage window, and the token reclaimed the $1,000 mark at press time, indicating limited immediate negative impact on market perception.

Source: Santiment

Frequently Asked Questions

Was YZi Labs spun out of Binance?

YZi Labs leadership denies that the fund was “spun out” of Binance. They describe the firm as an independent investment entity following a rebrand from Binance Labs.

Did CZ admit to stealing user funds?

CZ stated he pled to a single violation of the BSA (anti-money-laundering controls). He emphasized this was a failure to maintain adequate AML controls, not an admission of stealing user funds.

How did the market react to the FT article?

Market signals tracked by Santiment showed BNB maintained positive weighted sentiment and reclaimed the $1,000 level, suggesting limited sustained market disruption from the coverage.

Key Takeaways 

Why did CZ dismiss the FT report?

CZ clarified that FT’s claims about YZi Labs and his past charges were incorrect.

Did the FUD impact BNB?

No, BNB market sentiment remained positive despite the development.

Key Takeaways

• CZ refuted the report: He described FT coverage as inaccurate and focusing on the wrong narrative.
• YZi Labs clarified its role: Leadership said portfolio fundraising does not equate to the fund seeking external capital.
• Market resilience: Santiment data showed BNB sentiment stayed positive; the token reclaimed $1,000.

Conclusion

COINOTAG reporting confirms CZ and YZi Labs dispute the Financial Times’ characterization of the fund and past legal matters. Primary coverage focuses on verified statements from CZ and Ella Zhang, Santiment market data, and public records about the BSA plea. Readers should monitor direct statements from YZi Labs and public data providers for updates. Follow COINOTAG for ongoing verified coverage.