CZ Warns About AI-Generated Fake Autobiographies Circulating Online in 2025
- The Fake Autobiography Scam
- Suspicious Marketing Tactics
- The Growing Problem of AI-Generated Content
- How to Spot AI-Generated Fakes
- The Bigger Picture for Crypto and AI
- Q&A About the CZ AI Autobiography Scam
In a bizarre twist of digital deception, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has sounded the alarm about counterfeit autobiographies bearing his name flooding the internet. These AI-generated fakes claim to reveal intimate details about his journey from programmer to crypto titan, complete with fabricated personal reflections and leadership philosophies. The situation highlights growing concerns about AI's role in content fraud and intellectual property theft in the publishing industry.
The Fake Autobiography Scam
On November 11, 2025, CZ took to X (formerly Twitter) to warn his followers: "This is NOT my book. Beware of scammers using AI to create fake books!" The fraudulent publication, titled "Beyond Borders," claims to be a first-person account of Zhao's life, complete with what appears to be his "own voice" narrating the story. The book's promotional website describes it as exploring "what it means to build a decentralized platform in a centralized world," along with Zhao's alleged personal struggles with regulation and market crises.

Source: Vivlio (Book cover of the fake autobiography "Beyond Borders")
Suspicious Marketing Tactics
What makes this scam particularly eyebrow-raising is its pricing strategy. The platform offers the ebook for €0.00 including VAT - an uncharacteristically generous offer for content supposedly from one of crypto's most influential figures. As any industry observer knows, when something seems too good to be true, it usually is. The free price tag immediately raises red flags about the publication's authenticity.
The book's sudden appearance follows CZ's recent announcement that he would no longer publicly disclose his personal cryptocurrency investments after his last token purchase reportedly caused significant market volatility. Ironically, while warning about this AI-generated fraud, CZ has previously expressed optimism about AI's potential in other applications, even proposing AI judicial support systems that could theoretically offer more objective legal recommendations than human judges.
The Growing Problem of AI-Generated Content
This incident isn't isolated. Amazon has faced increasing criticism for hosting AI-generated books that plagiarize legitimate authors' works. British comedian Rhys James recently discovered multiple AI-generated versions of his books being sold on the platform. Across the publishing industry, more than 8,000 authors have petitioned AI companies like OpenAI and Meta to stop using their works for training data without permission or compensation.
In response to these challenges, some interesting solutions are emerging. UK startup Books By People has launched an "Organic Literature" certification program to verify human-authored works. Meanwhile, US Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal proposed the AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act to address these concerns.
How to Spot AI-Generated Fakes
For crypto enthusiasts and book lovers alike, here are some telltale signs of AI-generated content:
- Unnaturally perfect grammar and sentence structure
- Generic or repetitive phrasing
- Lack of specific personal details or anecdotes
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing (like free autobiographies from billionaires)
- Publication dates that don't align with author's known activities
The Bigger Picture for Crypto and AI
This incident sits at the intersection of two of today's most disruptive technologies: cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. As both fields continue to evolve rapidly, we're seeing increasing instances where they collide - sometimes productively, other times problematically. For crypto leaders like CZ, maintaining authenticity in an age of perfect digital forgeries may become one of the defining challenges of the coming decade.
This article does not constitute investment advice. Always verify information from multiple sources before making financial decisions.
Q&A About the CZ AI Autobiography Scam
What exactly happened with CZ's fake autobiography?
In November 2025, scammers released an AI-generated book falsely claiming to be Changpeng Zhao's autobiography. The book, titled "Beyond Borders," included fabricated personal stories and professional insights supposedly written in CZ's "own voice." The Binance founder quickly denounced it as fraudulent on social media.
How can you tell if a book is AI-generated?
Look for red flags like perfect but generic writing, lack of personal details, suspiciously low prices, and publication dates that don't match the author's known activities. When in doubt, check the author's official channels for verification.
Why would someone create a fake CZ autobiography?
Possible motives include phishing for personal information, spreading misinformation, or simply cashing in on CZ's fame through ad revenue or eventual paid upgrades to the "free" book.
What's being done about AI-generated book scams?
Solutions range from technical (like the UK's "Organic Literature" certification) to legislative (such as proposed US laws regulating AI content). Authors are also banding together to protect their rights against unauthorized AI training.
Does this mean CZ is against all AI applications?
Not at all. Ironically, CZ has previously advocated for beneficial AI uses, like AI judicial systems. His warning specifically targets fraudulent applications that misuse his identity and reputation.