Memo to the Past: CZ’s Prison Memoir Reignites OKCoin Beef, Xu Still Mad About That One Contract (and Apparently, Marriage?)

A decade-old grudge between OKX overlord Star Xu and Binance’s once-and-always-degen-in-chief Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao has burst back onto the scene like a zombie bear in a bull market—thanks to CZ’s newly dropped memoir, which Xu claims is short on facts and long on creative fiction.

The roots of this crypto soap opera go back to CZ’s brief, chaotic stint at Xu’s OKCoin, where in 2015 he was officially accused of “harmful acts of conduct”—which, in corporate-speak, probably means he told someone off on Slack. The drama centered on a contract dispute involving none other than Bitcoin Jesus himself, Roger Ver, with Zhao later saying he never forged anything and also maybe questioning the sanity of everyone involved.

The latest chapter began when CZ’s book hit digital shelves this week, casually reigniting the fuse. Xu, not one to let a slanderous memoir pass unchallenged, dusted off the old case files like a crypto archaeologist and declared, “Look, I didn’t wanna do this, but since CZ dragged my name into his prison-page-turner, we’re doing the reenactment.” Classic degen move: write a book, resurrect ancient beef.

“In a surprise twist,” CZ wrote, “Star randomly accused me of contract forgery back in the OKCoin days.” He then admitted to losing his cool in May 2015 and dropping a Reddit bomb, where he not only denied the forgery but also took the opportunity to roast OKCoin’s internal flaws—because when you’re angry, might as well go full scorched earth, right?

Xu, ever the digital detective, fired back with a video he claims shows two versions of the same contract floating around like NFTs on a phishing scam. He doubled down, saying CZ has been gaslighting the crypto masses since 2015 and somehow kept it going through prison and a book tour. “After four months in the slammer, he’s still out here spinning tales,” Xu wrote, with the energy of someone who’s held a grudge since Bitcoin was $10. “Turns out, habitual liars don’t magically become truth-tellers after a federal timeout.”

Then came the plot twist no one asked for: Xu started questioning CZ’s marital status, citing an old CoinDesk report where CZ referred to his spouse as his “wife” in a court letter. The implication? Either CZ is lying about being divorced or he’s been emotionally attached to a legal technicality. Xu offered a peace deal: “Show me the divorce papers signed by both parties, and I’ll apologize.” Nothing says reconciliation like demanding matrimonial proof on Twitter.

CZ, never one to back down from a dare—even a paperwork-based one—responded with the financial equivalent of a duel: a $1 billion bet. Or, honestly, any amount Xu wanted. “Put your money where your mouth is,” he challenged. “My lawyers can verify it. I won’t post the docs—because privacy—but I’ll bet my next yacht on it.” Classic CZ: turning divorce verification into a meme-worthy wager.

Xu, playing the compliance card like a pro (probably because running a regulated exchange means you can’t just accept random billion-dollar bets), declined the wager. But being Xu, he pivoted instantly: “Fine, don’t show the papers. But did you legally separate your Binance stake in the divorce?” Because nothing says high-stakes crypto drama like alimony and equity splits.

CZ, clearly done with this improv session, shot back with the cold finality of a blockchain rollback: “My Binance stake is none of your business.” He then accused Xu