- Larry Fink and Ray Dalio provided endorsements for CZ’s memoir “Freedom of Money.”
- The book was drafted by CZ during his prison sentence, with limited access to a shared laptop.
- Binance reportedly dismissed compliance investigators shortly before the memoir’s release.
The founder of Binance, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), has launched his 366-page memoir, “Freedom of Money,” featuring endorsements from prominent financial figures including BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio. The book, detailing CZ’s journey from humble beginnings to establishing the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange and its subsequent $4.3 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, was largely written during his four-month incarceration in 2024.
Wall Street Heavyweights Back Crypto’s Most Controversial Founder
Larry Fink, who leads BlackRock with approximately $10 trillion in assets under management, positions CZ as a pioneer in blockchain technology adoption. Fink’s endorsement highlights CZ’s foresight regarding digital assets and blockchain’s potential to create opportunities for forward-thinking nations.
“CZ saw early what many are only beginning to understand today: digital assets and blockchain technology can unlock real opportunities for nations willing to embrace the future. His story is about conviction, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the power of technology to serve people.”
Ray Dalio offered a more personal perspective, commending CZ’s transition from poverty to achieving global influence. Dalio expressed admiration for CZ’s role in making alternative currencies accessible worldwide and recommended the memoir for aspiring individuals and those interested in the development of Binance as a key player in the evolving monetary landscape.
“As a great admirer of CZ for his bold contributions to making alternative monies accessible to almost everyone in the world, I’m thrilled that he has so clearly laid out his life story. I recommend it for anyone who aspires to go from humble beginnings to a world shaper or is interested in a fascinating read of CZ building Binance into a pillar of the new monetary order.”
Additional endorsements for the book come from His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Haidilao founder Zhang Yong, and early Bitcoin investor Matt Roszak. The foreword was written by Binance co-founder and co-CEO Yi He.
Special thanks to Ray Dalio, Larry Fink, His Majesty King of Bhutan, Zhang Yong, and Matt Roszak for writing quotes for my book! 🙏 https://t.co/9ZeXzFniRQ
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) April 8, 2026
These endorsements arrive at a significant juncture for both BlackRock and Binance. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) is experiencing substantial daily trading volumes, positioning it as a direct competitor to Binance in the cryptocurrency liquidity market. Furthermore, BlackRock integrated its BUIDL tokenized fund as collateral on Binance in November 2025, indicating a deepening strategic relationship.
Compliance Cracks Cast a Shadow Over CZ’s Freedom of Money
Despite the high-profile endorsements, the release of “Freedom of Money” coincides with renewed scrutiny over compliance practices at Binance. Reports indicate that Binance’s Chief Compliance Officer, Noah Perlman, who was hired as part of the exchange’s 2023 settlement reforms, is considering his departure.
Recent months have seen at least four senior compliance personnel leave the company. More concerningly, a February 2026 report alleged that Binance terminated at least five compliance investigators after they identified approximately $1 billion in transfers to entities linked with Iran between March 2024 and August 2025. This development has prompted a Senate inquiry led by Senator Richard Blumenthal, with nine Democratic senators calling for investigations by the Department of Justice and the Treasury.
Binance has refuted claims that investigators were dismissed for reporting potential violations.
Some media uses negative narratives (from fired employees).
Binance uses data.
Best compliance program in the industry, by far!https://t.co/oJUT0vWDjB https://t.co/hoT0qpE9ln
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) February 23, 2026
The exchange maintains that it found no evidence of sanctions law violations related to the transactions in question. While all book royalties are designated for CZ’s educational nonprofit, Giggle Academy, the endorsements from leading figures in global asset management lend significant credibility and influence that extend beyond charitable contributions.
Original article : beincrypto.com