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Who is Wei Zhou, one of the most mentioned people in CZ’s book?

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Who is Wei Zhou, one of the most mentioned people in CZ’s book?

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) dedicated a considerable portion of his autobiography, Freedom of Money, to talking about somebody called Wei Zhou.

Indeed, Zhao is this fifth most mentioned person in the book, tied with Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) with 23 mentions. But who is he?

Zhao joined Binance from Goldman Sachs in 2018 as its first chief financial officer (CFO).

He’d previously shepherded two companies through NYSE and NASDAQ IPOs, and in Binance’s eyes, he brought institutional credibility that the then-one-year-old crypto exchange desperately needed.

Zhou is now CEO of Coins.ph, a Philippines-based crypto wallet and exchange that he acquired from Indonesian super-app Gojek in 2022 for roughly $200 million. 

He also advises Old Fashion Research, a blockchain fund run by former Binance executives, as well as serving as vice chairman of the gay dating app Grindr.

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Wei Zhou : From CZ’s first CFO to his nemesis

CZ used Freedom of Money, written largely during his time in prison and published on April 8, to paint Zhao as an unreliable subordinate-turned-antagonist.

Specifically, it frames his tenure around two grievances. 

The first involves Zhao’s role in Binance’s FTX investment. 

FTX launched in May 2019 and within months, SBF approached Binance for investment. Zhao championed the deal, yet CZ claims that he initially declined

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However, by late 2019, FTX lowered its valuation and sweetened the offer with a Binance Coin (BNB) for FTX token (FTT) token swap. Binance agreed, taking a 20% stake in SBF’s company that would implode three years later.

Fortunately for CZ, Binance was able to sell its FTX equity, before FTX went bankrupt.

Fintech Alliance Philippines and Binance

CZ also complained about Zhao’s role in Binance’s Philippine expansion. 

In September 2022, Zhao wrote to the chairman of Fintech Alliance Philippines, questioning a blockchain education partnership between the Alliance and Binance. 

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The letter, which a Philippine crypto publication published in full, called Binance an unregistered virtual asset service provider. 

Zhao claimed that Coins.ph was “astounded” by the Binance-Alliance collaboration, an assertion that CZ frames as an underhanded attempt to block Binance from the Philippine market.

Unsurprisingly, Zhao denied the framing and told reporters, “We did not block Binance from joining. We asked to be involved in blockchain education initiatives of Fintech Alliance Philippines.”

Partial financials for his CFO

Basically, CZ’s memoir casts Zhou as a disloyal insider. However, other reports tell a different story about who kept whom in the dark. 

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Reuters reported in December 2022 that Zhao never had access to Binance’s full financial accounts during his tenure as CFO of nearly three years. Reuters says that two former colleagues confirmed that claim.

It also claimed the world’s largest crypto exchange ran its finances as a “black box” obscured from even its own CFO.

Zhao wasn’t the only executive to discover CZ’s centralized grip over Binance. 

Binance.US, launched in 2019 while Zhao still served as global CFO, was meant to operate independently. 

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However, its first CEO, Catherine Coley, was replaced without explanation. Her successor, former US Comptroller of the Currency Brian Brooks, lasted less than four months.

Brooks later testified concerningly that he realized CZ ran the US entity, not him. 

The SEC would eventually allege that Binance.US was a sham, controlled behind the scenes by CZ while publicly claiming independence.

Zhao left Binance in June 2021, the same summer Brooks walked out of Binance.US. Binance cited personal reasons for both departures.

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Read more: How the battle between Binance and FTX went from bad to worse

Binance Avengers

After leaving, Zhao created a private group that CZ’s memoir called the “Binance Avengers.” It gathered disgruntled former employees to criticize the exchange. 

CZ’s book claims some members later lost money after transferring assets to FTX.

The Binance supremo also places Zhao on an informal enemies list alongside SBF and OKX founder Star Xu. As Protos reported, the CZ-Xu grudge escalated to a $1 billion bet within days of the book’s release.

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Bitcoin Shows Bullish Chart Pattern, Targeting $90k

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Crypto Breaking News

Bitcoin extended its latest bounce, surging about 5% on Tuesday to a fresh intraday high near $76,120 as traders weigh a renewed bullish setup and stronger on-chain activity. The move rekindles expectations of a broader rally, with market participants eyeing higher targets if momentum persists and key resistance zones are cleared.

Key takeaways

  • Bitcoin punched to an intraday high around $76,120, reclaiming earlier resistance and signaling renewed upside momentum.
  • Analysts see a potential breakout above an ascending triangle pattern, with the next major hurdle near $80,000 and a measured target around $89,050.
  • On-chain activity supports the price move: daily transaction count rose sharply in 2026, reaching 765,130 million as of April 5, a level last seen in November 2024 when BTC briefly topped $100,000.
  • Network activity is corroborated by higher fee revenue, with total on-chain fees up about 4% week over week to roughly $153,700, suggesting greater willingness to pay for priority processing.

Price action and the chart setup

Trading data shows Bitcoin breaking above the upper boundary of its latest consolidation, with Tuesday’s rally pushing the price above $76,000—levels not seen since early February. Analysts described the move as a breakout that validates renewed bullish momentum, noting that a decisive close above the $75,000 to $76,000 zone would confirm the breakout and widen the path toward higher targets.

“Bitcoin surged above the $76,000 level, breaking above its March highs and signaling renewed bullish momentum,”

Skeptics and optimists alike are watching the same crucial points: a sustained close above the moving averages near $75,000 and a daily close beyond the resistance front near $80,000. If these thresholds are crossed, traders anticipate a continued push toward the measured target implied by the formation—roughly $89,050—which would mark a meaningful shift in the short-term trajectory.

Technical commentary also highlights the pattern at play: Bitcoin appears to be validating an ascending triangle after breaking above the upper trend line around $73,000 earlier in the week. A close above the confluence of the trend line and the 100-day moving average would bolster confidence in a bullish breakout, while a failure to sustain above $75,000 could reintroduce volatility and test lower supports.

As observers map the road ahead, one analyst emphasized that breaking above the pattern and the 100MA would indicate a genuine shift in momentum, potentially accelerating a move toward the $84,000 area and higher. The discussion underscores how chart structure, not just price level, is shaping expectations for the near term.

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On-chain activity corroborates the price move

Price strength is aligning with rising on-chain usage. Bitcoin’s daily transaction count has surged in 2026, reaching about 765,130 million as of April 5, according to CryptoQuant data cited in market briefings. This level marks a multi-month high and echoes earlier bursts of network activity that accompanied major price moves.

That activity level was last observed during a period in November 2024 when Bitcoin briefly traded into the six-figure territory, approximating a macro moment when speculative fervor and investor interest peaked. An analyst known on social channels noted that the current transaction count is higher than during some earlier high-price eras, suggesting sustained network engagement rather than a fleeting spike.

The on-chain signal is complemented by commentary from observers who point to the broader implications of rising usage: increased transaction counts can reflect a growing number of market participants, higher merchant adoption, or greater trader activity seeking to execute orders with priority. In this context, the 2026 uptick in activity helps explain why the market is not only chasing higher prices but also experiencing more active on-chain participation.

“The network is showing bull market behavior,”

That sentiment came from a Twitter analyst who highlighted the robust on-chain activity as a meaningful backdrop to price action. While the precise drivers behind the surge remain multifaceted, the association between rising transaction counts and bullish momentum is a recurring theme in recent market cycles.

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Fees rise as demand for on-chain priority grows

Beyond transaction counts, Fee activity also rolled higher. Glassnode’s Market Pulse observed that Bitcoin’s total on-chain fee volume increased about 4% over the prior week, reaching roughly $153,700. The uptick in fees is interpreted as heightened willingness among users to pay for priority processing, signaling sustained or expanding network demand even as price moves unfold.

From a market perspective, rising fees can reflect a mix of transaction acceleration by traders attempting to front-run or secure confirmations in a volatile environment, and real-world use cases driving higher activity. While fees alone do not determine price direction, they provide a complementary read on how busy the network is and how users are prioritizing their transactions in this phase of renewed activity.

What this means for traders and investors

The combination of a renewed price breakout, a believable chart pattern, and stronger on-chain signals paints a cohesive picture of renewed appetite among market participants. For traders, the key inflection point remains the daily close above critical resistance—roughly $75,000–$76,000—and confirmation of the ascending triangle’s breakout with a follow-through beyond the next hurdle near $80,000. If these thresholds hold, the measured move toward the mid-to-upper $80,000s—and potentially toward $89,050—becomes more credible.

Investors will also be watching whether the surge in on-chain activity and rising fee volume persists, as it can indicate longer-term engagement rather than a purely speculative sprint. The last time the network showed similar on-chain vigor was during prior price cycles when BTC breached notable price milestones, which adds a layer of historical context to the current setup.

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Nevertheless, uncertainties remain. The macro landscape—regulatory developments, policy shifts, and broader market conditions—will always color Bitcoin’s trajectory. A decisive close above resistance levels, followed by sustained momentum, would strengthen the case for a continued advance; a retreat or muted follow-through could prompt a reversion to nearer support around the $75,000 mark.

For readers watching the next chapters, the immediate priority is confirmation: a daily close above the $76,000 zone and a sustained push beyond $80,000 would provide a clearer path toward the higher targets implied by the chart pattern and the improving on-chain backdrop. Until then, the market remains in a wait-and-watch phase, balancing chart psychology with real-time network activity.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Bitcoin Hit $76K But Did Bulls Fall Into A Trap?

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Bitcoin Hit $76K But Did Bulls Fall Into A Trap?

Key takeaways:

  • The US Federal Reserve’s shift toward balance sheet expansion may provide the liquidity needed to boost Bitcoin and broader risk markets.

  • The war in Iran and high oil prices might be driving investors toward scarce assets to hedge against rising inflation.

On Tuesday, Bitcoin (BTC) price surpassed $76,000 for the first time in over two months, triggering $285 million in leveraged short liquidations. The rally closely tracked the S&P 500, indicating a high probability of a macroeconomic-driven event. Is the war in Iran the only factor behind Bitcoin’s price gains, and what are the odds of a bull trap?

Crude Brent oil (inverted, left) vs. Bitcoin/USD (right). Source: TradingView

Crude oil prices stabilized near $95 after peaking at $104 over the weekend, a move many traders view as positive. The inverted chart of crude oil prices depicts a high-intraday-correlation environment.

The war in Iran has been a major source of concern due to its impact on US inflation and supply chain logistics, which limits the ability of global central banks to trim interest rates and exerts negative pressure on economic growth. 

Simultaneously, gains in the S&P 500 and gold prices likely indicate a higher probability of stimulus measures, causing investors to seek shelter in scarce assets.

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Gold futures (left) vs. S&P 500 futures (right). Source: TradingView

The recent gains in the S&P 500 following failed negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz may seem odd, but the added risk of recession provides the strongest incentive for governments to implement expansionary measures. Regardless of whether the US Federal Reserve opts for a cautious approach, the US Congress and the Trump administration can authorize direct investment in infrastructure projects and social programs, or provide tax credits.

Inflationary worries line up with investors’ Fed policy expectations

Bitcoin does not need to compete with stocks or even gold to capture the capital currently held in money market funds and short-term bonds. The longer oil prices remain above $90, the higher the upward pressure on forward inflation.

Reduced expected returns on fixed-income assets may be the primary catalyst behind Bitcoin’s surge above $75,000, and governments have few alternatives without expanding the monetary base.

US Federal Reserve total assets, USD billion. Source: St Louis FED

The US Fed changed its strategy to expand the balance sheet in January, reversing the trend from the previous two years. This move is highly supportive of risk markets, as short-term concerns about the bond market are diminishing. Financial institutions and hedge funds have greater access to liquidity and face less competition to offload US Treasuries, providing temporary relief to the stock market.

Regardless of whether Bitcoin holds above $75,000, there are few incentives for traders to take profits after two months of trading near $68,000, given the meager 10% gains. Even if Bitcoin eventually rallies to $80,000, that would represent a modest 20% gain for those who purchased at $66,500. Unless traders perceive an imminent risk to oil prices, the odds do not favor continued sell pressure on Bitcoin.

Related: Bitcoin’s struggle to build long-lasting uptrend continues–Here’s why

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Ultimately, given the likelihood of expansionary monetary policy and inflationary pressures, Bitcoin bears will have a difficult time showing strength, making the odds of a successful bull trap extremely low.