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Changpeng Zhao (CZ), Binance’s founder and former CEO, fueled intense speculation across the cryptocurrency sector after updating his X (formerly Twitter) profile from “ex-@binance” to “@binance”. This move comes nearly two years since he stepped down as CEO following a U.S. regulatory crackdown and a historic $4.3 billion settlement in November 2023.
The timing of the profile tweak has turned heads: it appears just as reports suggest Binance is nearing a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that could lift its three-year compliance monitoring requirement, imposed as part of its major 2023 settlement. With the native Binance Coin (BNB) surging to new all-time highs above $960, market watchers have interpreted this as a possible signal of renewed leadership ambitions at the exchange.
Despite the market’s excitement, the legal context makes any official Binance comeback for Zhao extremely unlikely in the short term. Under his 2023 plea agreement, Zhao is explicitly barred from any management or operational role at Binance for at least three years, a restriction that has been consistently reported in company statements and legal filings. Richard Teng, who replaced Zhao as CEO, continues to lead the company as it works to restore regulatory trust in key markets.
Zhao retains majority ownership of Binance but cannot exercise daily operational control under the terms of the DOJ agreement. Any changes to that arrangement would require new legal proceedings or, as some have speculated, executive action such as a presidential pardon—an outcome that, while technically possible, remains remote.
News of Zhao’s updated X profile sent BNB to a fresh record, climbing over 5% in 24 hours and trading just under $963 as of Tuesday night. The token’s futures open interest is up more than 10%, with over $1.8 billion in contracts, as traders react to expectations of a post-settlement Binance and new or renewed leadership energy.
Trading volume for BNB jumped by more than a third, with aggregate spot volume surpassing $3 billion. Analysts attribute the excitement to both leadership speculation and optimism about a potential end to DOJ oversight.
No official statements have been released by Binance or by Zhao to clarify the reasons or implications behind the X profile change as of press time. For now, the prospect of a true “Binance comeback” by Zhao is speculative, constrained by the very real legal and regulatory barriers put in place by U.S. authorities.
Regulators, investors, and the broader crypto community are watching Binance’s next moves closely. The outcome of ongoing DOJ talks, and any further public steps by Zhao, will continue to shape the future of both the company and the wider cryptocurrency ecosystem.
