Crypto Kingpin Biopic Rumor: Controversy Outpaces Confirmation

A viral social media post has ignited speculation that Jackie Chan could star in a Netflix biopic about Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, though no official confirmation has been issued by either party. The unverified claim, shared by an anonymous X account under the username doomer, suggests the project, tentatively titled Crypto Kingpin, would dramatize Zhao's meteoric rise in the crypto industry, his 2023 guilty plea to U.S. money-laundering charges, and his subsequent 2025 presidential pardon by Donald Trump.

Zhao, who co-founded Binance in 2017, transformed it into the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, amassing significant influence over digital-asset markets. His legal troubles began in 2023 when he pleaded guilty to facilitating unregistered transactions and served a four-month federal prison sentence. The pardon by Trump in October 2025 has further complicated his public profile, with his attorney Teresa Goody Guillén recently dismissing allegations of political deals with the as "false" and "impossible" due to blockchain transparency.

The timing of the rumor has drawn attention due to Jackie Chan's recent foray into crypto-themed cinema. His upcoming film The Shadow's Edge, a thriller centered on an AI-powered cryptocurrency heist, has already sparked interest in the actor's alignment with crypto narratives. Social media users quickly drew parallels between Chan's role in the film and the proposed Crypto Kingpin project, amplifying the speculation.

Despite the buzz, Netflix has not commented on the alleged project, nor have Chan's representatives acknowledged any involvement. The lack of official statements has led industry observers to treat the rumor as speculative, albeit one with traction in crypto circles. A biographical documentary about Zhao would need to navigate sensitive legal and political terrain, particularly given the ongoing scrutiny of his pardon and Binance's regulatory challenges.

If realized, Crypto Kingpin would tap into a high-stakes narrative blending crypto's boom-and-bust cycles with a real-world drama involving a global business leader, a prison sentence, and a presidential pardon. The project's potential to attract a broad audience would depend on Netflix's willingness to invest in a story that remains entangled in controversy.