- CZ confirms he is officially divorced and offers a $1 billion bet to prove it
- Star Xu challenges CZ to provide a signed divorce agreement
- Dispute linked to CZ’s 457-page memoir “Freedom of Money”
- 24-hour deadline given by CZ for Xu to respond
- Conflict tied to a long-standing rivalry dating back to 2014
- Yi He responds, asserting her role as Binance Co-CEO and major shareholder
CZ Confirms Divorce and Issues $1 Billion Challenge: Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) confirmed he is officially divorced and offered OKX founder Star Xu a $1 billion bet to prove it. The challenge came after Xu questioned CZ’s marital status as part of a broader dispute triggered by CZ’s 457-page memoir “Freedom of Money,” released on April 8.
Star Xu Questions Marital Status and Legal Proof
Star Xu demanded that CZ produce a divorce agreement signed by both parties. He said he would publicly apologize if CZ could present the document. If not, he argued, the claim would amount to public misrepresentation.
“I typically ignore all these false claims and attacks. But… You can apologize now. I am officially divorced,” wrote CZ.
“Both OKX and Binance are regulated by multiple regulators. As the UBO of a regulated company, publicly offering a $1 billion bet is hardly professional conduct,” Xu responded to CZ’s invitation. CZ stated he would not share legal documents online out of respect for his ex-wife’s privacy.
“I am happy to bet $1 billion USD (or any number you choose) that: I am officially divorced (way before today),” CZ added.
He gave Xu a 24-hour window to respond, adding that silence would reveal who had been misleading the public. The OKX executive also called on the attention of Binance’s regulators to CZ’s offer, questioning whether Changpeng Zhao’s Binance stake has been legally separated with his ex-wife.
“Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos have already shown what proper asset separation looks like in a divorce,” he added.
Dispute Tied to Long-Standing Rivalry
The divorce dispute is the latest development in a conflict that dates back to 2014. CZ served as chief technology officer at OKCoin, the predecessor to OKX. Their falling out over equity, a Bitcoin.com domain contract, and forgery allegations have resurfaced multiple times.
CZ’s memoir also claims Huobi founder Li Lin told him in 2025 that Xu had reported him to Chinese authorities. Xu has denied that claim. Yi He, the co-CEO of Binance, is the long-term life partner and the mother of three of CZ’s children. Reportedly, CZ has five kids total, two from his previous marriage. Amid the ongoing dispute, Yi He responded publicly, emphasizing her position within Binance.
The original post was shared in Chinese on April 9. For readers’ convenience and clarity, the content has been translated into English.
“I’m not some delicate wife literature female protagonist; I’m the second largest shareholder and Co-CEO of Binance who continues to fully suppress competitors even after CZ stepped down,” she stated.
Yi He stated on April 9 that she had been targeted by coordinated efforts aimed at damaging her reputation through rumors and public criticism. She rejected the portrayal of herself as a passive figure, emphasizing that she remains actively involved in the industry.
She stressed that she is not someone who can be easily undermined or dismissed, pushing back strongly against the narrative surrounding her role. Yi He also made it clear that she continues to actively respond to challenges and criticism in the public space. She added that despite ongoing attacks, she remains focused on her responsibilities and continues to engage in the competitive landscape. Yi He emphasized her resilience and ongoing presence in the industry amid the dispute.
