Binance co-founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has dismissed speculation that the cryptocurrency exchange is up for sale.

Addressing the rumors on Feb. 17 via X, CZ stated, “Some lowly self-perceived competitor in Asia fudding about Binance (CEX) for sale. As a shareholder, Binance is not for sale.”

He further clarified that while top investors have consistently shown interest in Binance, any potential external investment would be limited to a single-digit percentage stake.

This statement was echoed by Binance co-founder Yi He, who suggested that the rumors were part of a competitor’s public relations strategy. She implied that Binance remains in an acquisition mindset, encouraging exchanges looking to sell to reach out.

Origins of the Rumor

Speculation about a Binance sale gained traction last week when users noticed significant reductions in the exchange’s crypto holdings. Some interpreted these movements as sales of major assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), fueling uncertainty about Binance's financial standing.

In response, Binance clarified that the transactions were internal treasury accounting adjustments rather than asset sales or liquidity concerns. The company assured users that all funds remain fully backed on a 1:1 basis.

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