Binance Appoints Richard Teng as New CEO Following Resignation of Changpeng Zhao

In a surprising turn of events, Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has named Richard Teng as its new CEO. This comes after founder and former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao resigned and pleaded guilty to charges brought against him by the U.S. Department of Justice.

CZ took to Twitter to announce the change in leadership, stating, “Today, I stepped down as CEO of Binance. Admittedly, it was not easy to let go emotionally. But I know it is the right thing to do. I made mistakes, and I must take responsibility. This is best for our community, for Binance, and for myself.”

The resignation and guilty plea come after CZ and Binance reached a settlement with the U.S. DOJ over alleged anti-money laundering violations. The settlement will cost the company a staggering $4.3 billion and prohibits CZ from holding executive positions in any cryptocurrency companies. Additionally, CZ will be required to pay a $50 million fine. However, he will retain his shares in Binance and will not face jail time.

Teng’s promotion was confirmed by CZ himself in a post on a platform called X. CZ praised Teng’s qualifications and extensive experience in financial services and regulation, stating that he is confident Teng will lead Binance through its next period of growth, ensuring security, transparency, compliance, and expansion.

Teng also took to X to express his gratitude and humility in stepping into the role of Binance’s new CEO. He acknowledged the immense trust placed in the company by its 150 million users and thousands of employees, emphasizing his commitment to upholding that responsibility.

In his first public communication as CEO, Teng reassured Binance users and outlined three areas of focus for himself and the company. Firstly, he aims to reassure users that their funds are safe and that Binance will continue to provide a secure platform. Secondly, he plans to enhance transparency and compliance, ensuring that Binance operates within regulatory frameworks. Lastly, Teng emphasized the company’s commitment to growth and innovation, promising to explore new opportunities and expand Binance’s services.

This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.