Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has denied rumors that he was “shot” by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which were widely spread on a Chinese messaging platform. In a March 4 tweet, CZ addressed the false speculation and reiterated the close working relationship that exists between Binance and the FBI. He also stressed the importance of ignoring fake news, distractions and attacks, which he listed as his fourth goal for 2023.

The rumor was quickly debunked by CZ, who took the opportunity to remind Binance users to stay tuned for fake news and distractions. He also retweeted a tweet from a user who asked him about the rumor and suggested that CZ should provide a “proof of life” with the latest Binance Smart Chain (BSC) block hash.

This event is similar to a false rumor spread about Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin in 2017, when he was rumored to have died in a car accident. Security analyst Harry Denley called the rumor about CZ the “2023 adaptation of attempted market manipulation.”

In recent news, CZ and Binance.US CEO Brian Shroder received a letter on March 1 from three United States Senators, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, and Roger Marshall, demanding more information on Binance’s financials. The senators claimed that the “little information” available regarding Binance’s financials suggests that the exchange is a “hotbed of illegal financial activity.”

It is worth noting that Binance.US hired former FBI Special Agent BJ Kang in October 2022 to head its investigative unit, with the goal of combating illegal activity on the platform. Kang was once dubbed “the most feared man on Wall Street” by Reuters after he was photographed arresting Bernie Madoff, who was found guilty of running the largest Ponzi scheme to date.

Overall, CZ’s quick response to the false rumor demonstrates his commitment to transparency and accountability at Binance. Despite the senators’ demands for more information, Binance has remained steadfast in its mission to provide a secure and compliant platform for its users.