Justin Sun Denies Rumor of CZ Testimony in DOJ Plea Deal
Tron founder Justin Sun has refuted the common rumor that Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, former Binance CEO, testified against him in a plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
“I have no idea about the common rumor. CZ is both my mentor and close friend,” Sun posted on X on April 11.
Sun Brushes Aside Gossip, Mentions Personal Confidence
Sun solidified his good working relationship with Zhao and stated, “He has been an important role in being supportive of me in my entrepreneurial life.” His statement came after a Wall Street Journal article reported Zhao consented to cooperate with U.S. authorities by sharing information on Sun as part of his own plea deal.
Zhao in April of 2024 was also jailed for four months for AML law breach. The report, the sources reported, stated that the deal “hadn’t been previously revealed.”
Current SEC Case and Zhao’s Silence
Sun and the SEC both submitted a joint request in February of 2025 to halt the regulator’s suit against him to pursue settlement options. That suit, filed in March of 2023, charges that Sun and three of his companies — the Tron Foundation, BitTorrent Foundation, and Rainberry Inc. — sold unregistered securities.
Zhao has not publicly spoken to the latest accusations but before the report, he warned on X about an impending “baseless hit piece” being prepared.
Sun Defends DOJ and Zhao’s Integrity
Sun reaffirmed his trust in Zhao’s integrity and that of the DOJ, stating, “To this day, his conduct and values are the best code I aspire to live by as a founder.”
He also praised the DOJ as among the most revered partners of the T3 Financial Crime Unit — a collaboration co-founded by Tron, Tether, and TRM Labs.
“Whether it’s CZ or our DOJ counterparts, we’re always directly, openly communicating. I have complete confidence in each and every one of them,” Sun concluded.
