AI-generated deepfake videos featuring former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and co-founder Yi He have flooded Crypto Twitter this week, creating a stir within the crypto community and raising significant security concerns. The remarkably realistic clips, styled as short dramatic episodes depicting fictional corporate tensions, showcase convincing avatars with natural dialogue and authentic emotional delivery that could easily be mistaken for professional studio work.
While most users sharing the videos label them clearly as AI satire, their technical execution is startling and has led to confusion among some viewers. The context adds a layer of concern, as the videos play on the well-known professional and personal dynamic between the two founders who built Binance since 2017. Neither Zhao nor Yi He has publicly commented on the viral content.
This incident is not isolated but part of a dangerous and explosive trend. According to a 2025 year-end study by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, the cryptocurrency industry is the most targeted sector for deepfake impersonation scams. The report documented a staggering 1,400% surge in AI-generated impersonation attempts in 2025 alone, utilizing voice cloning, synthetic avatars, and scripted videos for phishing and investment fraud.
Law enforcement agencies in several countries have issued warnings, noting the rapidly closing gap between real and fake content as the technology becomes cheaper and more accessible.
Amid the circulation of these deepfakes, Binance co-founder Yi He has spoken out about the damaging effects of persistent Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD) on market confidence. In a recent internal update shared with partners, Yi He warned that such noise causes newcomers to hesitate entering the market and prompts active players to take profits early. She noted that even long-term, financially secure participants ("OGs") feel pressured to exit due to daily attacks.
The market impact is reflected in the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which recently plummeted to a range of 5–10, indicating extreme fear among investors. Market watchers suggest a recovery could follow once the current wave of FUD subsides.
The viral deepfakes of Binance leadership represent a cultural flashpoint, demonstrating that AI technology has advanced to a point where even obvious satire looks disturbingly real. This creates a new vulnerability in an industry where trust and authenticity are paramount for investment decisions, highlighting an urgent need for better user education on verification methods and digital literacy.
