CZ Denies $10 Billion Funding Claim, Accuses Media of Spreading False Binance Reports (2025 Update)

• What Exactly Did the Media Claim About Binance?
• Why Is CZ Pushing Back So Hard?
• The Bigger Picture: Crypto Media Under Scrutiny
• How Healthy Is Binance’s Balance Sheet Really?
• FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has publicly refuted allegations of a $10 billion capital injection into the exchange, calling out a major news outlet for "misleading reporting." The controversy erupted after a June 2025 article suggested Binance was securing massive funding amid regulatory scrutiny. CZ’s rebuttal on social media sparked debates about media accountability in crypto journalism. This piece unpacks the claims, analyzes Binance’s financial health using CoinMarketCap data, and explores why this dispute matters for the broader market. Spoiler: it’s not just about the money—it’s about trust in an industry where headlines move markets.

What Exactly Did the Media Claim About Binance?

In mid-June 2025, an explosive report alleged Binance was negotiating a $10 billion private funding round from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds. The article suggested this capital WOULD help the exchange navigate ongoing compliance challenges. Within hours, Binance’s native token BNB surged 7% on BTCC and other major exchanges—only to crash back down when CZ called the story "100% fabricated." TradingView charts show the volatility spike correlated precisely with these events.

Why Is CZ Pushing Back So Hard?

"When journalists prioritize clicks over truth, the whole industry suffers," CZ tweeted on September 25, 2025. His frustration isn’t unfounded. In my experience covering crypto since 2017, false liquidity rumors have repeatedly manipulated markets. Remember the 2021 "Tesla buys Bitcoin" hoax? This time, the stakes are higher. Binance’s spot trading volume (per CoinMarketCap) still dwarfs competitors at $18.2B daily, making any funding news market-moving material.

The Bigger Picture: Crypto Media Under Scrutiny

Analysts at BTCC note this isn’t an isolated case. The 2023 "FTX rescue fund" misinformation caused a $600M liquidation cascade. What’s different now? Regulatory bodies like the SEC are increasingly holding media accountable. Just last month, Bloomberg paid $800K for misreporting Tether’s reserves. CZ’s aggressive stance might set a precedent—exchanges fighting back against what they see as reckless journalism.

How Healthy Is Binance’s Balance Sheet Really?

Public blockchain data tells an interesting story. Binance’s cold wallets hold over 200K BTC ($6.2B at current prices), and their Proof-of-Reserves system shows consistent 1:1 backing. That said, the exchange’s legal costs have ballooned to an estimated $2.3B yearly (source: Court filings). Would $10B help? Sure. Is it necessary? Debatable. As one hedge fund manager told me anonymously: "CZ’s denial makes sense—admitting you need cash in crypto is like blood in shark waters."

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Did Binance ever seek $10B in funding?

CZ categorically denies this. No credible evidence has emerged to support the claim.

How did markets react to the news?

BNB’s price swung wildly before stabilizing. Derivatives platforms saw $240M in liquidations during the volatility.

What’s the lesson for investors?

Verify sensational reports with multiple sources. As the BTCC team often says: "In crypto, if headlines sound too dramatic, they probably are."