This article was first published on TurkishNY Radio.
A fresh dispute has emerged between two of crypto’s most recognizable figures after Binance founder Changpeng Zhao published his memoir.
What might have remained a personal account quickly turned into a public exchange, with OKX’s Xu calls Binance’s CZ a habitual liar, becoming one of the most discussed developments across the industry this week.
Zhao’s book, Freedom of Money, released on April 8, reflects on his career journey and the creation of Binance. However, beyond personal milestones, the memoir revisits past tensions, particularly his short tenure at OKCoin, now known as OKX.
OKX’s Xu Calls Binance’s CZ a Habitual Liar Claims
Within the book, Zhao outlines disagreements that date back to 2014–2015, when he served as Chief Technology Officer at OKCoin. He alleges that Star Xu attempted to undermine his role and spread negative claims about his leadership.
Zhao also recounts a conversation with Huobi co-founder Leon Li, claiming that Xu had reported him to Chinese authorities. He writes,
“Li Lin told me that he had seen a screenshot showing Xu Mingxing personally reporting him to the Chinese police.”
These remarks have brought renewed attention to a long-standing rivalry, pushing OKX’s Xu calls Binance’s CZ a habitual liar into broader industry conversation.
OKX’s Xu Calls Binance’s CZ a Habitual Liar Response
Star Xu responded quickly, dismissing the claims and questioning Zhao’s credibility. In a direct statement, Xu said,
“After spending four months in prison, he continues to make false statements to the world. All I can say is: a habitual liar never changes their nature.”
While Xu noted that he did not intend to revisit past disputes, he also shared older material, including a video from years ago, which he suggested provides context to earlier disagreements.
The exchange reflects how OKX’s Xu calls Binance’s CZ a habitual liar has moved beyond historical disagreement into a current reputational dispute between two major exchange founders.
A Dispute Rooted in Early Crypto History
The tension between Zhao and Xu is not new. It dates back to Zhao’s exit from OKCoin in 2015, reportedly tied to disagreements over equity and business direction.
A disputed 10% stake and a controversial domain deal were among the issues that escalated the situation at the time.
Following his departure, Zhao went on to build Binance, which later became one of the largest global crypto exchanges. Meanwhile, Xu continued to expand OKX into a major competitor in the same space.
The reappearance of these issues through Zhao’s memoir has brought OKX’s Xu calls Binance’s CZ a habitual liar back into focus, particularly for those tracking the evolution of crypto exchanges.
Market Data Shows Limited Impact
Despite the strong language and public attention, the market response has remained relatively calm. Data from CoinMarketCap shows that Binance Coin (BNB) declined slightly by around 1% over 24 hours, trading near $600.
The broader crypto market also experienced a minor pullback during the same period, suggesting that price movements were more closely linked to overall market conditions than to the dispute itself.
On-chain activity tracked through Etherscan does not indicate any unusual transaction patterns tied to the situation.
Why This Still Matters
While the immediate financial impact appears limited, the situation highlights how past conflicts continue to influence present narratives in crypto.
The phrase OKX’s Xu calls Binance’s CZ a habitual liar reflects more than a disagreement it points to ongoing questions around trust, leadership, and transparency within centralized exchanges.
As the industry faces increasing regulatory attention and institutional involvement, the behavior and credibility of key figures may carry greater weight than before.
Final Thoughts
The renewed clash between Zhao and Xu shows that early industry rivalries have not fully faded.
Although markets remain largely unaffected for now, the discussion around OKX’s Xu calls Binance’s CZ a habitual liar may continue shaping how participants view leadership within major crypto platforms.
Summary
- Changpeng Zhao’s new book has unexpectedly brought his old rivalry with OKX’s Star Xu back into the spotlight, reminding many of their unresolved past.
- Xu didn’t hold back in his response, openly rejecting the claims and questioning Zhao’s credibility in strong terms.
- The tension goes all the way back to Zhao’s early days at OKCoin, where disagreements over roles and ownership first began.
- Despite all the noise, the market stayed calm, with BNB moving in line with overall trends and no unusual blockchain activity seen.
Glossary of Key Terms
1. Cryptocurrency Exchange
This is a platform where people buy and sell cryptocurrencies. You can think of it like an online marketplace, similar to a stock trading app.
2. Memoir
A memoir is a personal story written by someone about their life experiences. In this case, CZ shares his journey of building Binance.
3. CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
The CEO is the person who leads a company and makes the major decisions. They’re basically the one steering the ship.
4. FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt)
FUD refers to news or rumors that make people nervous about an investment. It’s like hearing something that makes you second-guess your decisions.
5. Blockchain
Blockchain is a system that records transactions in a secure and transparent way. Imagine a shared digital notebook that everyone can see but no one can erase.
6. On-chain Data
This means information that is recorded directly on the blockchain. It’s like a public record where anyone can check what transactions have happened.
7. Token (like BNB)
A token is a digital asset used within a crypto platform. It works a bit like points or credits you can use for payments or services.
8. Market Sentiment
Market sentiment is the general feeling of investors. If people feel confident, prices may rise; if they feel worried, prices can fall.
FAQs About OKX’s Xu Calls Binance’s CZ a Habitual Liar
1. What is the dispute between OKX’s Star Xu and Binance’s CZ?
The issue resurfaced after CZ’s memoir revisited old tensions from his OKCoin days, leading Star Xu to push back and question the accuracy of those claims.
2. Does this conflict affect Binance Coin or crypto prices?
Not really. BNB’s price has been moving with the overall market, and there’s no sign that this dispute has triggered any unusual trading activity or reactions.
3. Are there any legal or regulatory concerns involved in this issue?
So far, it appears to be a personal disagreement rather than a legal matter, though such public statements can still influence how people view trust in crypto leaders.
4. What does this mean for users of Binance and OKX platforms?
For everyday users, nothing changes. Both platforms continue to run as usual, with trading, security, and support services operating normally despite the public disagreement.
