Binance Co-Founder Denies Facilitating Meetings With Pakistani Officials

Binance’s co-founder, Changpeng Zhao, has vehemently denied allegations made by a prominent newspaper that he facilitated meetings between World Liberty Financial (WLF) and Pakistani government officials. Zhao, along with WLF, has rejected the claims, asserting that the newspaper's report is inaccurate and misleading. The newspaper had alleged that Zhao used his extensive network to introduce WLF representatives to government officials in Pakistan, Malaysia, and Kyrgyzstan, and that WLF only named Pakistani official Bilal Bin Saqib as an advisor after receiving help from Zhao.

Zhao took to social media to refute these claims, describing the article as a hit piece and a poor example of journalism. He cited Cunningham’s law, which suggests that the best way to get a correct answer is to broadcast a false answer first. Zhao emphasized that he is not a fixer for anyone and that his interactions with WLF and Pakistani officials were purely coincidental. He met Saqib for the first time during his visit to Pakistan and had no prior knowledge of the relationship between WLF and Saqib.

Zak Folkman, WLF co-founder, also joined Zhao in denying the allegations. Folkman stated that the newspaper's article was false, as Binance and WLF did not coordinate talks with Pakistani officials. He revealed that WLF representatives, including himself, met with Bilal Bin Saqib, whom he described as a long-time friend, during a business trip to Pakistan. Folkman also clarified that no discussions about foreign policy took place during their meeting.

Zhao believes that media outlets have a vested interest in disparaging the crypto industry. He thinks that the newspaper has become a mouthpiece for groups that wish to stop crypto growth in America and thwart the country's attempts to become a global leader in blockchain innovation. Zhao's views align with the notion that there may exist a shadow ‘war against crypto’, where certain groups aim to discredit crypto leaders and erode trust in the blockchain network. The newspaper has published several critical articles against Zhao, including one alleging that he was cooperating with American officials to reveal information about TRON founder Justin Sun. Zhao claims that the newspaper ignored corrections submitted by his team before publication.

In summary, Changpeng Zhao and World Liberty Financial have strongly rejected claims that Zhao facilitated meetings between WLF and Pakistani government officials. Both parties maintain that the allegations are false and that their interactions with Pakistani officials were purely coincidental. Zhao's denial of the allegations and his belief in a shadow ‘war against crypto’ highlight the ongoing tensions between the crypto industry and traditional media outlets. The dispute underscores the need for accurate and unbiased reporting in the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.