A social media post by Indian blockchain company 5ireChain stirred controversy when Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) accused them of misusing a selfie taken at an event. The image, which featured CZ alongside 5ireChain CEO Pratik Gauri, was captioned “What’s cooking?” and included a handshake emoji, sparking speculation about a potential partnership.
Zhao Shuts Down Collaboration Rumors
CZ was quick to respond, clarifying that the selfie was taken during a chance encounter and did not signify any collaboration. In a now-viral reply, he wrote,
This is exactly how NOT to use a selfie with me.
Nothing is cooking. Didn’t even have a chat. Just a selfie at an event. 😂
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) December 18, 2024
“This is exactly how NOT to use a selfie with me. Nothing is cooking. Didn’t even have a chat. Just a selfie at an event.”
The blockchain leader’s direct response dismissed any rumors, emphasizing that there was no significant development between Binance and 5ireChain.
5ireChain Deletes and Reposts With Clarification
After Zhao’s response, 5ireChain promptly deleted the original post and issued a new one with an explanatory caption:
📣 Note: This post is not intended to imply any collaboration or partnership between our Founder & CEO, @pratikgauri, and @cz_binance.
It is purely an appreciation post from our founder to recognize CZ’s unparalleled contributions to the blockchain and crypto industry.
Truly a… pic.twitter.com/5yOJz601sJ
— 5ireChain (Mainnet is live) (@5ireChain) December 18, 2024
“Note: This post is not intended to imply any collaboration or partnership between our Founder & CEO Pratik Gauri and Changpeng Zhao. It is purely an appreciation post from our founder to recognize CZ’s unparalleled contributions to the blockchain and crypto industry.”
The revised post sought to clarify the intent behind sharing the image, framing it as a gesture of admiration for CZ’s achievements.
Zhao’s Warning About Promotional Selfies
In a follow-up message, CZ cautioned against the misuse of such selfies for promotional purposes.
“You should be alarmed if a person/project uses a selfie with someone else as promotional material. Posting selfies when I meet someone I like/admire is normal. But I would never use that to promote my project unless with explicit permission,” he wrote.
His statement highlights a broader issue within the blockchain industry, where casual encounters are sometimes misrepresented to imply partnerships or endorsements.
Conclusion
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and integrity in professional interactions, particularly in the rapidly evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrency. While admiration posts are common, they must be framed carefully to avoid misleading interpretations.
