CZ Dismisses Romance Rumors, Focuses on Binance's Regulatory Milestone in Pakistan

Binance founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao has publicly addressed and dismissed gossip regarding a romantic connection with crypto influencer Tintin. The rumors originated from a brief on-stage interaction during the Binance Blockchain Week debate against gold advocate Peter Schiff in Dubai on December 4. Tintin, affiliated with the Aster project, handed CZ a "magic box" containing a heavy gold item, a moment that became the most replayed segment of the debate's YouTube recording.

Taking to X on December 14, CZ responded with amusement, stating, "The market must be really slow—everyone’s got nothing better to do." He clarified that his entire interaction with Tintin consisted of only three exchanged messages and a single ten-minute meeting before the debate. The decision to have her hand him the box was a spontaneous, on-the-spot choice with no prior arrangement. He concluded by deflecting attention, writing, "Go pay attention to someone else."

The timing of the rumors is notable, coming just days after Yi He, CZ's long-term partner and mother of his three children, was promoted to co-CEO of Binance on December 3. This leadership change, announced by CEO Richard Teng, is the exchange's most significant management shake-up since CZ stepped down in 2023. Yi He emphasized the separation of her personal and professional life in Dubai, expressing frustration that questions about her personal life often overshadow her professional achievements.

Amidst the personal gossip, CZ remained focused on Binance's business expansion. On December 12, he traveled to Pakistan alongside CEO Richard Teng and Tron founder Justin Sun for meetings with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The visit coincided with a major regulatory breakthrough: Pakistan's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) issued no-objection certificates to both Binance and HTX, paving the way for full licensing in the country.

CZ shared a practical anecdote from the trip on X, revealing he used crypto to purchase an eSIM after his roaming failed. Richard Teng hailed the development as "a meaningful milestone for Binance in Pakistan," noting the exchange has obtained Anti-Money Laundering (AML) registration from PVARA. CZ has served as an adviser to the Pakistan Crypto Council since April 2024 as the country positions itself as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction in South Asia.