Key Highlights
- Changpeng Zhao’s memoir reignites a public feud with Star Xu over past disputes and allegations.
- Xu rejects claims in the book, accusing Zhao of misrepresentation and escalating the conflict on social media.
- The clash expands into personal territory, with both figures publicly addressing allegations beyond business history.
A new memoir by Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao has reignited tensions with OKX CEO Star Xu, bringing years-old disagreements back into public view.
In his memoir Freedom of Money, Zhao revisited earlier conflicts tied to his time working with entities linked to OKX. He described disputes over contracts and claims that competitors attempted to discredit him during his early career.
Among the more contentious assertions in the book was Zhao’s suggestion that industry figures may have played a role in reporting rivals to authorities. He referenced a conversation with Leon Li, implying suspicion toward Xu in past regulatory matters.
Xu rejected these claims, calling them inaccurate and revisiting earlier allegations that Zhao misrepresented documents in previous disputes. In a series of public posts, Xu described the memoir as containing misleading statements and said he had no intention of revisiting the history until the book’s release.
Withdrawal freeze returns to spotlight
The memoir also revisited a 2020 episode involving OKX, then operating as OKEx, when withdrawals were halted for several weeks while Xu was reportedly under investigation in China.
Zhao’s account framed the incident as a structural weakness, suggesting control over wallet access was concentrated. He contrasted it with how Huobi handled a separate incident around the same period, arguing that its system allowed operations to continue.
Xu has not directly addressed those operational claims in detail but has focused his response on disputing Zhao’s broader narrative.
Personal allegations enter the dispute
The exchange escalated beyond business history after Xu questioned Zhao’s public statements about his marital status. Citing inconsistencies between legal filings and Zhao’s own descriptions, Xu challenged him to provide documentation.
Zhao responded publicly, stating he is divorced and declining to share legal documents, citing privacy. He added, “I won’t post any legal docs online, as I respect privacy of my ex-wife, and I appreciate the time we spent together. I am happy to bet $1 billion USD (or any number you choose) that: I am officially divorced (way before today).”
Public feud plays out in real time
The dispute has unfolded largely on social media, where both figures addressed each other directly. While Zhao signaled a willingness to move on, his responses engaged with the accusations, extending the exchange.
The episode reflects how longstanding rivalries in the crypto industry continue to resurface, particularly when revisited through personal accounts or public narratives.
Old tensions, new platform
The clash underscores unresolved tensions between early industry figures whose professional histories overlap. By placing past disputes into a published account, Zhao’s memoir has shifted those disagreements into a wider public arena.
Whether the latest exchange leads to further clarification or fades as another episode in an ongoing rivalry remains uncertain, but it has once again drawn attention to the personalities behind major crypto platforms.
Also Read: CZ in Memoir: Binance’s $3M Investment in Terra Rose to $1.6B Before Collapse
