Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, the founder of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has issued a stark public warning against fraudulent "listing agents" who promise to secure token listings on the platform for a fee. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), CZ stated, "You can safely assume anyone who claims to be able to help you list your project on Binance (CEX) is a SCAMMER, especially if they say they know CZ or are a good friend." He emphasized that he does not know 99.999% of these individuals.
To combat this growing issue, Binance has implemented a strict zero-tolerance policy. The exchange will permanently blacklist any project that attempts to use a middleman or intermediary to gain access to a listing. If a third party is involved in the listing process, the project is immediately disqualified and barred from future consideration.
Binance's official listing policy requires applications to be submitted directly by a project's founder or a key executive. All core team members interacting with the Binance listing committee must pass rigorous Know Your Customer (KYC) identity verification. Notably, Binance does not charge fixed fees for project evaluations or application submissions. The process is further protected by strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent information leaks.
The exchange's listing framework has matured significantly, now involving heavy vetting through the Binance Alpha pre-listing ecosystem and testing on Binance Futures for projects with secondary market traction. Only the most resilient projects graduate to a full Binance Spot listing.
In a related development, CZ responded to a user question about the altcoin ASTER, hinting at the possibility of staking it, and confirmed he has a personal investment in the token.
