Hyperliquid News Today: CZ Denies Binance Ties to Hyperliquid Amid Crypto Twitter Gossip

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, has denied reports suggesting that YZi Labs, his venture capital firm, has invested in Hyperliquid, a decentralized exchange (DEX). In a series of public statements on X (formerly Twitter), CZ clarified that YZi Labs has no equity, token, or financial stake in Hyperliquid. He emphasized that while Hyperliquid's co-founder, Jeff Yan, participated in YZi Labs' (then Binance Labs) 2018 incubation program, the project failed, and no investment was recovered CZ Denies Report Of YZi Labs Raising External Fund^[1].

CZ further explained that his interactions with Jeff Yan were minimal during the 2018 incubation period. He admitted missing a scheduled call with Yan earlier this year due to a scheduling error but reiterated that no investment ties exist between YZi Labs and Hyperliquid CZ Shares Gossip Tweet on Hyperliquid CEO's History With YZI Labs^[2]. The denial followed viral claims on social media linking Binance to Hyperliquid's success, which CZ labeled as "gossip tweets." He added, "We support all builders," underscoring his commitment to the broader crypto ecosystem CZ Addresses Rumors About Investing in Popular Altcoin!^[3].

YZi Labs, rebranded from Binance Labs in 2025, has expanded its focus beyond blockchain to include artificial intelligence and biotechnology. The firm recently announced a $1 billion BNB Builder Fund to accelerate innovation in decentralized finance (DeFi), real-world assets (RWA), and AI. This initiative merges its Most Valuable Builder (MVB) accelerator with the EASY Residency program, offering early-stage founders up to $500,000 in funding and global networking opportunities YZi Labs Continues Supporting New Developers in the Ecosystem^[4].

The firm has also made strategic investments in projects like Avalon Labs and Ethena, which manage over $500 million and $13 billion in total value locked (TVL), respectively. These moves highlight YZi Labs' pivot toward long-term, impact-driven investments rather than short-term returns. CZ, who stepped back from Binance's day-to-day operations in 2024, reiterated his focus on technologies with "societal and environmental impact" CZ Slams FT Over YZi Labs Funding Rumors: “Completely False”^[5].

Crypto Twitter's reaction to CZ's comments was mixed. While some criticized his tone as dismissive, others praised Jeff Yan's achievements, noting his role in setting benchmarks for decentralized derivatives platforms. Hyperliquid, built by a 10-person team, now handles over 10% of global crypto derivatives trading and has expanded into protocols like HyperEVM and HyperLend Binance’s CZ Responds to Hyperliquid Rumors in New ... - Coinpedia^[6].

YZi Labs' independence from Binance has been a recurring theme in CZ's statements. He denied claims that the firm is a spin-off of Binance or seeking external capital, asserting that it operates autonomously with no fundraising efforts since its rebranding. The firm's current team of 12 focuses on long-term horizons, contrasting with the regulatory scrutiny faced by Binance Binance's CZ Denies Holding Hyperliquid Stake | Phemex News^[7].