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CZ warned traders that buying meme coins inspired by his jokes is likely to end in losses, not profits or long-term value.
Former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has issued a blunt warning to cryptocurrency traders, stating that purchasing meme coins inspired by his informal social media posts will almost certainly result in financial loss.
His comments, made in a post on X on January 13, highlighted a persistent issue of speculative mania in crypto, where casual remarks from influential figures are misinterpreted as investment signals.
The Risks of Turning Jokes into Investments
In the post, CZ clarified that his random, often “stupid not-so-funny jokes” are not conceived as meme coin concepts. “I just tweet as I do… not thinking about memes (most of the time),” he wrote. The warning follows a pattern where developers instantly launch tokens linked to offhand comments from prominent personalities, creating risky assets with little substance.
It sparked a wave of reactions across Crypto Twitter, with some users mocking the behavior of traders who rush into joke-based tokens, while others questioned Binance’s own role in meme coin culture. One reply pointed to past listings, asking whether Binance had previously listed a meme coin tied to Zhao’s dog.
Several commentators took a broader view. For instance, Onramp Money cautioned that turning jokes into “financial advice” through instant token launches almost always leads to losses and urged traders to do their own research. Another user said some networks have actively pushed meme projects to lift transaction activity, even when it meant retail traders would likely be hurt.
The discussion also sparked a debate about the quality and cultural foundation of meme projects. Some community members argue that the core issue is a lack of support for organic, community-driven meme coins with genuine narratives. User 0xMo.eth suggested that BNB Chain leadership should support “real, organic meme coins that are building genuine communities, not just chasing short-term trends.”
This criticism is not new. Back on January 8, BNB Chain supporter Hinata expressed a wish for Binance leadership to develop a deeper understanding of meme culture, noting that many listed meme coins “lack a real story, character, or narrative,” causing them to quickly lose value after initial interest.
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A Pattern of Hype, Losses, and Trust Issues
Zhao’s post landed at a time when meme coins are regaining attention. As CryptoPotato reported last week, retail interest returned alongside ETF headlines and short-term market news, with assets like Dogecoin (DOGE) benefiting from structured products tied to its price. Whale activity has also increased, especially around FLOKI, PEPE, and Shiba Inu (SHIB), where large transactions and social chatter have moved prices quickly.
While enthusiasm is back, recent incidents underline the risks associated with the asset class. In early January, a low-liquidity meme coin on Binance experienced extreme volatility linked to suspicious trading behavior, allowing a skilled trader to profit while others were whipsawed.
Furthermore, in December 2025, hackers used a compromised social account belonging to Binance co-CEO Yi He to promote a meme coin, resulting in a pump-and-dump that earned scammers about $55,000.
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