CZ Denies Testifying Against Justin Sun

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has refuted media reports suggesting he testified against Tron leader Justin Sun as part of a deal with the US Department of Justice.

WSJ is really TRYING here. They seem to have forgotten who went to prison and who didn’t. ?

People who become gov witnesses don’t go to prison. They are protected.?‍♂️

I heard someone paid WSJ employees to smear me.? https://t.co/xqpnBwvlmi

— CZ ? BNB (@cz_binance) April 12, 2025

The discussion centers around a Wall Street Journal article detailing a meeting between US Treasury officials and Binance, as well as a “previously undisclosed agreement” between CZ and US prosecutors, citing anonymous sources.

In 2024, CZ was sentenced to four months in prison on money laundering charges. The entrepreneur agreed to pay a $50 million fine and cease involvement in Binance activities. In September 2024, he was released.

According to the WSJ report, the exchange’s founder allegedly offered to testify against Sun, who has been embroiled in a legal battle with the SEC since 2023.

“WSJ is really trying here. They seem to have forgotten who went to prison and who didn’t. People who become government witnesses don’t go to prison. They are protected,” Zhao noted.

Sun stated he is unaware of the circulating rumors.

I’m not aware of the circulating rumors. CZ is both my mentor and a close friend—he has played a crucial role in supporting me during my entrepreneurial journey. To this day, his conduct and principles remain the highest standard I strive to follow as a founder.

At the same…

— H.E. Justin Sun ? (@justinsuntron) April 12, 2025

“CZ is my mentor and close friend. He has played a crucial role in supporting me during my entrepreneurial journey. To this day, his conduct and principles remain the highest standard I strive to follow as a founder,” Sun wrote.

The Tron leader also mentioned maintaining “direct and honest” communication with the Justice Department and partners, whom he “fully trusts.”

Zhao added that he had heard about the publication preparing “another baseless article” and lobbying against Binance in the US by “certain players.”

Back in March, WSJ journalists reported on negotiations between Binance and the family of US President Donald Trump regarding the purchase of a stake in the exchange’s American division. CZ denied the claim and suggested a deliberate attempt at discreditation by the publication.