CZ Confirms Divorce, Offers $1B Bet to OKX’s Star Xu

CZ wrote that he typically ignores false attacks but made an exception here. He offered a standing $1 billion wager that the divorce happened well before April 9. Lawyers could validate the agreement privately if Star accepted.

He gave a 24-hour window to take the bet. He said refusal would show who had been misleading the public.

The exchange traces back to CZ’s memoir, “Freedom of Money,” which launched the day before. In the book and earlier interviews, CZ described himself as divorced. Star responded by questioning those claims publicly.

What Triggered the CZ Divorce Dispute

Star Xu pointed to a court letter from CZ’s wife. The letter referred to them as husband and wife. Star said he would issue a public apology if CZ produced a dated, signed divorce agreement.

Without that proof, Star called the repeated claims another example of confident but inaccurate statements. The challenge came shortly after CZ’s memoir hit circulation.

CZ responded the same day with the billion-dollar bet. He said he would not post legal documents online out of respect for his ex-wife. Instead, he offered private verification through lawyers.

CZ and Star Xu: A Decade of Rivalry

CZ is one of the most recognizable figures in crypto history. He built Binance into the world’s largest exchange. In 2023, he stepped down after a U.S. plea deal tied to Bank Secrecy Act violations.

The settlement totaled $4.3 billion. CZ served a four-month prison sentence and was released in September 2024. Since then, he has focused on education ventures and personal projects.

Star Xu founded OKX in 2013. The exchange has since grown into Binance’s closest rival, particularly in derivatives trading.

Their feud stretches back to the early Chinese crypto scene. Past disputes reportedly include contract disagreements and mutual accusations of misrepresentation. The memoir added fresh fuel to embers that never fully cooled.

Star Xu Rejects the Wager

Star replied on the same day through his own post on X. As OKX’s CEO, he said compliance rules prevented him from public betting. He also noted that gambling is not permitted for UAE citizens.

Star added that he had no interest in CZ’s private life. Still, he insisted he had the right to challenge false statements in books that involved him.

He wrote that verifying a divorce timeline is straightforward. According to Star, proper separation of family assets after a roughly 20-year marriage is a legal requirement in many places. Failure to do so, he argued, raises questions about credibility.

Why the CZ Divorce Feud Matters for Crypto

Crypto markets run on trust. Two CEOs of the largest exchanges accusing each other of dishonesty feeds broader skepticism. Even personal disputes carry weight when founders double as brands.

Binance processes roughly $15-25 billion in daily trading volume. OKX handles approximately $5-10 billion. Together, the two platforms account for a major share of global crypto activity. The people running them shape how regulators and institutions view the industry.

The clash also highlights a tension between privacy and transparency. CZ drew the line at exposing legal paperwork online. He still offered verifiable proof through lawyers. Star refused the bet format entirely and demanded visible proof of asset division.

The 24-Hour Deadline Passes

CZ’s deadline expired without acceptance. In a follow-up post, he said he was returning to “ignore mode.” He added that the matter had already wasted enough of his time.

Star has not walked back his position. He also has not issued the apology he conditioned on seeing documents. Both sides have put their accounts on record through X.

Short of new legal filings or further escalation, the episode appears likely to fade. Crypto Twitter has already moved to the next controversy. But the exchange leaves a fresh reminder of how personal history still colors competition at the top of the industry.