Star Xu Fires Back at CZ Amid Binance's MiCA Rejection and Escalating Rivalry
The long-standing tension between OKX founder Star Xu and Binance's Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has intensified once again, reignited by Binance's recent failure to secure a MiCA license in Europe. What began as simmering industry rivalry has now erupted into a very public exchange of accusations, with both founders trading blows through social media posts and interviews.
Following Binance's regulatory rejection in the European Union, Xu wasted no time in publicly criticizing the exchange and its founder, pointing to what he called serious concerns about Binance's operational and compliance standards. The timing of his comments drew significant attention across the crypto community, with many observers noting that Xu appeared to view the EU setback as validation of his earlier criticisms.
CZ responded by suggesting that Xu's hostility was rooted in jealousy — a claim that did not sit well with the OKX founder. In a pointed rebuttal posted publicly, Xu flatly rejected the jealousy narrative. Rather than envy, he stated, what he actually feels toward CZ is shame. Xu referenced CZ's documented legal troubles, past market controversies, and ongoing compliance-related issues as the basis for his stance, framing his criticism as principled rather than personal.
Beyond the current dispute, Xu also took the opportunity to shed light on the deeper history behind his grievances with CZ. According to Xu, the roots of their conflict stretch back to CZ's earlier involvement with OKCoin, a period that left a lasting impression on him. These, he described, are unresolved issues that have never been properly addressed.
Adding fuel to the fire, Xu accused CZ of distorting historical facts in his recently published book. Xu claimed that CZ referenced him multiple times throughout the publication while presenting what Xu characterized as false and misleading accounts of past events. This allegation introduced a new dimension to the feud, transforming it from a regulatory debate into a dispute over historical narrative and personal integrity.
Despite the sharp tone of his statements, Xu concluded by saying he has no particular desire to relitigate old disputes or dwell on past grievances. However, he made it clear that he would be prepared to address the matter openly and publicly if the situation called for it — leaving the door open for further confrontation.
The broader crypto community continues to watch the unfolding saga with keen interest. The clash between two of the industry's most prominent exchange founders raises pressing questions about competitive ethics, regulatory compliance, and accountability at the highest levels of the digital asset space. With Binance's European ambitions now under a cloud and OKX's founder openly on the offensive, the rivalry shows no signs of cooling down anytime soon.
