Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, has sounded the alarm over a growing wave of crypto scammers falsely claiming insider access to Binance listings. In a blunt post shared on March 25, the Binance founder made it clear: anyone promising a listing through personal connections, especially those claiming to “know CZ”, is almost certainly running a scam.
The message, posted on X, quickly gained traction across the crypto community. CZ didn’t mince words, stating that he rarely knows such individuals and would blacklist anyone falsely leveraging his name. His warning cuts through a long-standing problem in the industry, fraudsters exploiting founders eager to secure listings on top exchanges.
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 is a good friend, etc.
99.999% of the time, I don’t know them. If I do, I will put them on a blacklist. Stay SAFU! 🙏
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) March 25, 2026
Rising impersonation schemes target crypto founders
CZ’s remarks come amid an alarming surge in impersonation scams. According to Chainalysis, crypto-related fraud hit a record $17 billion in 2025, with impersonation tactics seeing explosive growth. Scammers now deploy sophisticated tools, including AI-generated voices, deepfake videos, and professionally designed pitch decks mimicking legitimate exchange communications.
Many startup founders have reported receiving direct messages offering guaranteed listings in exchange for hefty “fees” or token allocations. Some scammers even go as far as fabricating images and connections to appear credible. Despite repeated warnings, these schemes continue to trap unsuspecting projects chasing fast-track exposure.
No shortcuts to Binance listings
Binance has consistently reinforced that its listing process is strictly internal and handled through official application channels. There are no middlemen, private deals, or guaranteed placements, regardless of who claims influence.
In fact, the exchange has previously introduced stricter listing policies and offered multi-million dollar rewards for information leading to the exposure of fraudulent brokers. Still, the persistence of these scams highlights how demand for centralized exchange listings continues to fuel exploitation.
Meanwhile, CZ said earlier this month that the exchange’s valuation is closely linked to the broader cryptocurrency market, noting that it is difficult for the company’s value to rise when digital asset prices decline. CZ’s latest warning serves as a timely reminder for builders navigating the high-stakes crypto space. Rather than relying on questionable connections, projects are better off focusing on strong fundamentals, transparency, and real utility.
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