- Changpeng Zhao publicly criticized The New York Times for reporting on an unauthorized early draft of his upcoming memoir, Freedom of Money.
- The article detailed 2023 DOJ negotiations where prosecutors initially sought a $6.8 billion penalty before Binance agreed to a $4.3 billion settlement.
- Zhao’s lawyer stated the report used material not in the final book, while the draft also recounted his prison sentence and an ICE detainer.
- Meanwhile, Binance Coin (BNB) traded lower, with retail sentiment on Stocktwits remaining bearish.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao accused The New York Times on Friday of publishing a report based on an unauthorized early draft of his soon-to-be-released memoir. The newspaper detailed previously undisclosed negotiations with U.S. authorities from the manuscript, which Zhao said his team asked the paper to delay.
Zhao stated that they requested The New York Times wait for the official manuscript. “They couldn’t wait,” he wrote in a social media post, adding the outlet only had a copy of a very early draft without permission.
Consequently, his lawyer, Teresa Goody Guillén, asserted the article relied on material not in the final book. She indicated readers would see Zhao’s real words upon the memoir’s publication, which he previously planned for February or March.
The report described behind-the-scenes negotiations in 2023 that led to a historic settlement. Prosecutors initially sought a $6.8 billion penalty before Binance ultimately agreed to pay $4.3 billion.
According to the draft, Zhao consulted numerous lawyers and considered remaining abroad. He ultimately pleaded guilty, stepped down as CEO, and received a four-month prison sentence in 2024.
The manuscript also recounted his prison experiences and a detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This action placed him under additional custody near the end of his sentence.
Meanwhile, Binance Coin (BNB) traded at $596, reflecting a 2.9% decline over 24 hours. Retail sentiment around the asset remained in bearish territory on relevant platforms.
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