Changpeng Zhao Shuts Down Rumors: YZi Labs Not Seeking Outside Investment

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao just dropped a truth bomb on crypto speculation circles.

Funding Freeze

The billionaire entrepreneur categorically denied reports claiming his YZi Labs venture planned to court external investors. No dilution, no VC courtship—just pure bootstrap momentum.

Industry insiders had speculated YZi might follow the traditional startup playbook of fundraising rounds. Instead, Zhao's rejection reinforces his signature go-it-alone philosophy that built Binance into a global behemoth.

Another classic CZ power move that leaves Wall Street fundraisers scratching their heads—because who needs investor roadshows when you're printing your own ecosystem tokens?

Recall that the FT piece talked about the fact that YZi Labs is considering transforming into an investment fund by raising external capital. At the moment, the company manages assets worth about $10 billion.

In his commentary, Zhao denied the information in the piece and also criticized the publication:

“Completely false news from the FT, with fake/incorrect/fictitious information and negative narratives. This is just what I’ve dug up on social media, I haven’t even read the FT article. There’s no subscription.”

According to him, YZi Labs has never raised external funding, nor even negotiated with interested parties. Zhao also emphasized that the firm operates completely independently of Binance.

He also noted that the FT had sought a lunch with him. Zhao has now canceled the meeting as he is disappointed with the publication’s business ethics.

Zhang also commented on the situation, noting that she agreed to the call in order to get “a new friend interested in cryptocurrencies.” Her statement implies that:

• the firm has no outside capital. Even when YZi Labs’ portfolio organizations raise funds, the company only acts as a minority shareholder;
• investing in portfolio organizations does not amount to raising external capital;
• YZi Labs has never been part of Binance, the claim that it has spun off is not true;
• there was no private demo at Easy Residency Demo Day for a small circle of venture capitalists;
• there are numerous other errors in the FT article.

“We are a small, passionate team and we value every interaction with partners, developers and media. We still devote our time and energy to the bold ideas that will really get results, and the people that dare to make them happen. But we will engage less with media that lies and reach out to people with their own agendas,” Zhang summarized.

This is not the first time Zhao has criticized the press. Previously, he criticized Bloomberg for attacking him.

Сообщение Changpeng Zhao denied reports that YZi Labs plans to attract outside investors появились сначала на INCRYPTED.