YZi Labs Makes Power Play for CEA Industries After Crypto Strategy Collapses

When a crypto pivot goes sideways, the fallout is rarely quiet. YZi Labs is now pushing for a boardroom takeover at CEA Industries, a move that screams 'damage control' after its digital asset ambitions fizzled.

The Failed Crypto Gambit

The plan was simple: inject blockchain buzz into a traditional business model and watch the valuation soar. It didn't. The pivot, heavy on jargon and light on tangible results, left CEA Industries stranded between two worlds—master of neither.

A Bid for Control

YZi Labs isn't walking away. Instead, it's maneuvering to seize the steering wheel. The push for control suggests a belief that the original vision wasn't flawed, just poorly executed—a classic case of doubling down when the market has already cashed out.

What's Next for CEA?

The company now faces a fundamental choice: retreat to its core business under new, insistent leadership or find another speculative bandwagon to jump on. For shareholders, it's another lesson in the high-cost theater of corporate transformation, where the only thing that moons is the consultant's bill.

In the end, this isn't just a story about a failed crypto strategy. It's a masterclass in how chasing trends can leave a company vulnerable to the very opportunists who sold them the dream in the first place. Sometimes, the most volatile asset on the balance sheet isn't a token—it's the board's judgment.

TLDR

• YZi Labs, supported by Binance’s Changpeng Zhao, aims to take control of CEA Industries after its crypto pivot falters.
• The stock price of CEA Industries dropped by 89% since its pivot to a BNB-focused treasury strategy in July.
• YZi Labs seeks to overturn recent bylaw changes, expand the board, and install its own director nominees.
• YZi Labs accuses CEA’s management of failing to keep investors updated and promoting rival firms.
• The filing from YZi Labs could give it control over what was once considered the largest public BNB treasury company.

YZi Labs, backed by Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, has filed a motion to take control of CEA Industries, a publicly traded firm. The filing aims to overturn recent bylaw changes, expand the board, and install its own nominees. YZi argues the shake-up is essential to reverse the damage done to stockholder value.

The MOVE follows a steep decline in CEA’s stock price, which plummeted 89% since the company’s July high. CEA had previously announced plans to pivot from a Canadian vape manufacturer to a crypto-focused treasury company. The company’s efforts to build the largest BNB treasury have fallen short, with investors watching the stock lose value rapidly.

YZi Labs Challenges CEA’s Management After Stock Collapse

YZi’s filing directly challenges the management decisions at CEA. The company’s shares dropped to $6.47 on Monday, well below their pre-pivot valuation. YZi’s motion asserts that CEA’s management has failed to keep investors informed and has made minimal efforts to market the company’s new direction.

The filing also criticizes CEA CEO David Namdar. YZi claims that Namdar, brought in through 10X Capital, has been disloyal by promoting rival firms. The company suggests that a new CEO could be necessary to steer the firm back on track.

If successful, YZi Labs WOULD gain control of what was once a highly anticipated BNB treasury company. With its ties to Binance and Zhao, YZi’s control could reshape the company’s future. This move highlights the firm’s strategy to ensure a more aligned management team that prioritizes shareholder interests.

Crypto Treasury Firms Undergoing Leadership Changes

YZi Labs’ push for control comes as other crypto treasury firms experience leadership shifts. Yorkville Acquisition Corp. is set to merge with Trump Media & Technology Group and Crypto.com. The new company aims to focus on the Cronos native token, CRO, as its main reserve asset.

Steve Gutterman and Sim Salzman, former executives of Gryphon Digital Mining, will lead the combined firm. They bring years of experience in restructuring, regulation, and capital markets. The merger is expected to close in early 2026, creating a new entity focused on CRO accumulation.

Yorkville’s move to merge with major players in the crypto space signals a growing trend of restructuring in the industry. These efforts come at a time when the sector faces turbulence. Crypto treasury firms are adjusting their strategies to navigate the challenges ahead.