OKX CEO Challenges Binance Founder CZ’s “Sell House for Bitcoin” Claims

Crypto exchange OKX CEO Star Xu has challenged Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao’s famous story about selling his house to invest in Bitcoin. This follows CZ’s release of his autobiography, ‘Freedom of Money,’ in which he shared insights into how he founded Binance.

OKX CEO Questions Binance Founder’s Bitcoin Story

In an X post, Xu stated that CZ constantly talks about the story of selling a house to buy Bitcoin, but questioned what the “full truth” behind it was. He went further, raising questions such as where the down payment for that house originally came from and whether it was indeed CZ’s house that was sold.

The Binance founder had reiterated these claims in an interview on the All In podcast earlier this year, revealing that he sold an apartment for around $900,000 and used the proceeds to DCA into Bitcoin during the dip, at an average BTC price of $600. However, the OKX CEO has doubts, prompting him to poke holes in the story.

Xu also questioned whether CZ ever considered the feelings of his wife’s parents, who supported him, when he was using this story to portray himself as “visionary and repeatedly showcasing it as an achievement.” The OKX CEO also suggested that there are truths that he has never disclosed publicly, as it has never been his principle to ‘take advantage’ of someone’s misfortune or use their private life for moral attacks.

“If it weren’t for that book full of falsehoods dragging me into this, I would never have brought up these old matters again,” he added. It is worth noting that the clash between the OKX CEO and the Binance founder dates back to Xu’s allegations that CZ falsified company contracts involving early Bitcoin investor Roger Ver when CZ worked at OKCoin. However, CZ addressed this in his book and denied any wrongdoing, accusing competitors of using FUD to damage his reputation. 

The Clash Leads To $1 Billion Wager

The clash between the Binance founder and the OKX CEO intensified when CZ said he was happy to bet $1 billion after Xu questioned his claim that he had officially divorced. However, CZ said he wouldn’t post any legal documents online out of respect for his ex-wife’s privacy.

I typically ignore all these false claims attacks. But…

You can apologize now. I am officially divorced.

I won’t post any legal docs online, as I respect privacy of my ex-wife, and I appreciate the time we spent together.

I am happy to bet $1 billion USD (or any number you…

— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) April 9, 2026

However, he told the OKX CEO that they could get lawyers to validate the divorce agreement if he agreed to take the $1 billion bet. “This bet offer is valid permanently, whenever you feel ready. But if you don’t take it within 24hrs, it clearly shows who has been mis-representing to the public,” he added.

In response, Xu stated that top crypto exchanges OKX and Binance have multiple regulators and that, as the UBO of a regulated company, publicly offering $1 billion is “hardly professional conduct.” He questioned whether Binance regulators would find the move from the Binance founder acceptable.

Regarding whether CZ misled the public about his divorce, the OKX CEO questioned whether his Binance stake has been legally separated from his ex-wife. “Time to own it like a man and apologize. Don’t try to divert topics, with more false attacks,” CZ said in response.