Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, responded on social media to New York Times reporter David Yaffe-Bellany, stating that the report implied giving Binance merchandise as bribery, which is a misleading description under a skeptical attitude.

He clarified that the purpose of giving away merchandise is to turn recipients into walking billboards for promotion. He also claimed the report is biased but still thanked the article. The article was written by David Yaffe-Bellany from Abu Dhabi and published on October 1, 2026, with a print version appearing in the business section on October 4.

The report described a villa foyer piled with boxes of Binance merchandise, which Zhao allowed the reporter to take, with options including backpacks and sweaters in yellow and black color schemes. The reporter noted that media rules prohibit accepting gifts worth more than $20. Zhao humorously stated the price was about $19. Photography was by Laura Boushnak.

The same report mentioned that he pleaded guilty to anti-money laundering violations in 2023, served four months in prison, and was pardoned by the president in October 2025, while still being the majority shareholder of Binance. The interview scene also included a white Nissan SUV, a nine-bedroom villa, four bodyguards, a chef, and a yacht named Da Moon.

The gifts occurred during the home interview and were not token transfers or equity arrangements. Zhao did not disclose the number of items given away, their cost, or the list of recipients. He stated the only purpose was to make the wearers mobile advertisements. The reporter declined due to the $20 gift limit, and Zhao used the $19 figure to fit within the acceptable range for the media.

No buyers in the secondary market accepted these gifts. The event was driven by the gift rules in the personal report, not by trading. The cost of the merchandise remains in brand promotion and does not enter the reporter's account. The beneficiary is Zhao, who continues to control the majority stake and write about his life in Abu Dhabi as an industry cover story, while the pressured side is the reporting narrative that must frame the gifts as either a transfer of benefits or advertising.

The article did not provide the procurement price of the merchandise nor did it state that the reporter ultimately took any items.

Source: Public Information