According to DTCC data, the spot Ethereum ETF (FRANKLIN ETHEREUM TR ETHEREUM ETF) (code EZET) launched by asset management company Franklin Templeton has been listed on the DTCC (US Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation) website, and the Create/Redeem column shows Y.
It would be great if this news could pull the market back!
161 letters from relatives and friends petitioning for CZ released by the court
Translated letter 12:
Dear Judge Jones,
United States Federal Court
700 Stewart Street, Suite 13128 Seattle, WA 98101-9906
Dear Judge Jones,
I am Frank Lin, from Taiwan, and a high school classmate of CZ. We have been friends for 35 years. We studied together in a high school in Vancouver, Canada, played volleyball and participated in activities together. CZ is one year younger than me, but during school, CZ performed very well academically, especially in mathematics. Every time we had a math class together, he was always the first to hand in his homework and test papers. In addition, English class was the most difficult for us international students. But CZ was able to communicate with teachers and other local students in English easily, which made us envious and jealous.
Not only in academics, CZ was also very good in sports. We had physical education classes together, and one time it was a long-distance running class. I think I have good physical strength and can run faster than others, but CZ always persists to finish the whole course and surpasses me at the end. Long-distance running is not only about physical health, but also requires a great mental attitude. We can observe his persistence in everything, which is what we need to learn.
In addition, after school, we formed a volleyball team and CZ served as the captain. The high school we attended was different from other schools. There were not many people, so our volleyball team had only 6 people. As long as someone was injured, we could not play. So we trained very hard. Whenever there was a game and the referee made a misjudgment, CZ, as the captain, always protested to the referee on our behalf. In every game, CZ would come up with strategies to try to win the game. Finally, in our third year after graduation, which was also our last year, we entered the AA playoffs due to his leadership. This was the first time this high school entered the playoffs. The principal and students came to cheer us on, and we finally won the 12th place. The teammates trained together every day, discussed strategies every day, and argued every day. This was also the happiest period of our lives.
During our high school life, unlike me and several other classmates, while we were enjoying life, CZ was always studying and even worked a part-time job after school and on weekends.I think that is the difference between him and us, he always uses his time to study and work hard. This makes him successful in his career.
Not just in school, but also outside of school. I remember sometimes CZ would invite us to church activities. I just sat in the chair, listened to the Bible interpretation and sang hymns. But CZ would help church activities and those who needed help. He has a warm heart and a heart to help others. When he was young, he knew how to do his best to help his friends and those who needed help. This is what I admire about him.
After graduation, we all went to different universities and jobs, but I still kept in touch with CZ. When CZ worked in Japan and Beijing, we would have dinner together when we were free, talk about work and future dreams, all before Binance was founded. I always knew that CZ was smart, honest, and indomitable since I was a child. I am very happy to have a friend like CZ. He is very important in my life and has given me a lot of inspiration. I hope he can overcome all difficulties and everything goes well.
161 letters from relatives and friends petitioning for CZ released by the court
Translated letter 11:
December 25, 2023
About the case of Changpeng Zhao
To: Dear Judge
I have known the defendant Changpeng Zhao (CZ) since 1990. I first met CZ when we were both enrolled in the same high school in Vancouver, Canada. We quickly became best friends due to our similar values as children of first-generation immigrant parents. CZ has a humble character, hard work and integrity, and I am proud to have such an adventure partner in my teenage years.
CZ has a humble background. Of all the high school classmates I personally knew, he was the least financially well-off at the time. In order to support his family and have some pocket money to spend, he had to work part-time at the local McDonald's regularly. Despite his extended responsibilities and limited free time, CZ was able to maintain excellent academic progress, making him one of the few classmates I often competed with for the highest grades. He also had excellent athletic ability. We and some classmates formed the school's volleyball team - the Eagles - and he was later named captain.
It was impressive to witness the behind-the-scenes effort CZ put in to improve his volleyball skills. In the early 90s, the internet was not yet widespread, so books were the primary method of learning new knowledge. In addition to the drills ordered by the coach, CZ would borrow volleyball skill books from the school library and diligently repeat the drills, imitating the forms and techniques prescribed in the book. His growth was obvious, and eventually we all agreed that he should lead the team as captain.
One thing that is less known about CZ is his English speech challenges at the time. He would often get stuck on repeating the word "and" when starting to speak. The stuttering was particularly noticeable during stressful times, such as during school volleyball games when he, as our captain, had to question the referee's calls. Gradually, the stuttering seemed to have subsided. But few people know that CZ had been attending sessions with a speech therapist for many years.
Through determination, he overcame his speech difficulties and became an articulate English speaker.
In 1995, after graduating from high school, we went to different universities and started different careers.Over two decades later, our paths crossed again when I had the opportunity to work with him at Binance. I was pleasantly surprised that my high school buddy has not strayed from his humility, strong work ethic, and integrity. While some are confused that CZ would choose to travel to the United States to participate in the corresponding court proceedings in this case, I know that this is in CZ's character. He is doing what a responsible person who I have known since childhood should do.
I sincerely hope that the court will consider this letter and consider leniency when sentencing. CZ is not only a close friend, but also a true inspiration in my life since my teenage years. I often share my teenage story with my children as a positive inspiration. I believe that if given the opportunity, his humble personality, tenacity to overcome challenges, and most importantly, his integrity, will continue to inspire and uplift more people, just like how he helped improve my life.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
161 letters from relatives and friends petitioning for CZ released by the court
Translated letter 10:
Dear Judge Jones,
United States Federal Court
700 Stewart Street, Suite 13128 Seattle, WA 98101-9906
Dear Judge Jones
Changpeng Zhao and I have known each other for 27 years. We studied at the same university, McGill University, in Montreal, Canada. We have been very good friends since college. We also worked at Bloomberg in New York, USA, and in fact, it was he who recommended me that I received the job offer. We also worked together on several software projects for startups, so we were also business partners. So, I have known him for more than 20 years before his own company, Binance, was founded.
I must say that Chang is a true friend to me and I cherish this friendship very much. I work as a peer counselor in high school in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and I am used to providing counseling support to classmates who may have experienced physical trauma or emotional burdens in high school or at home. But many people don’t know that my friend Chang is also a true counselor to me on many occasions. I remember when we were in school, we had to work on UNIX programming projects and stay up late in the computer lab. If he saw that I was unhappy or troubled by something, he would let me take a break, take me out of the lab and ask me what was wrong. He has always been a kind, caring and warm-hearted friend. Not just in school, he took care of his friends like me, often listened to our problems and tried to help when he could. He was a true friend who helped me emotionally and provided me with guidance. He helped me make the best decision many times by listening to my current problems and giving his unbiased advice, letting me think about different directions and consider his advice. When I was working at Bloomberg, there were several colleagues who didn't like me very much, and he supported me as my friend. He also stood by me when I decided to go back to Asia because my father was sick in the hospital in Taiwan. When I went back to Asia and worked in China, I was not very used to the company culture there and had a lot of problems, and my Chinese boss, Chang would listen to my problems and provide his advice many times.To me, Chang is a great guy, he was an amazing friend, long before he founded Binance. He truly cares about his friends and is very willing to help friends when he can, and I have received a lot of positive influence from him.
I think Chang has a high standard of work ethics and professional behavior. With my experience working in the same company as him at Bloomberg, and in other types of software projects at startups, I have seen that he works very hard and is very responsible. He often works until late at night or even early in the morning so that he can provide the best quality service and products. I have lived and worked in China, and I have seen Chinese companies offer bribes to gain advantages or votes, and create fake news to attack competitors. All of these bad business practices are unacceptable in North America. As far as I know, Chang never does such things. He has lived in China for many years, but he has never developed any of these bad habits. He maintains a good work ethic, and he truly believes that a healthy competitive environment will benefit everyone, including his company, his competitors, and consumers.
So, he never attacks competitors in any unseemly way. I think I am a fairly rational person, but I think Chang is even a level higher than me. He is very meticulous and logical, which makes him impartial and not stubborn when making decisions, and therefore a very fair and just person. We worked with a few other friends in 2011 to develop some educational software for iPads for children. Whenever I have an argument or debate with other members, I usually go to Chang and ask him what he thinks and which side he agrees with. I often go to Chang for advice, not only because he usually has more perspective on things, but I know he is a very fair person.
Chang often talks about how lucky and blessed he is and that he wants to do something and give back to society. After Chang founded Binance, he grew up and gained more ability to help more people. During the Covid pandemic, on at least 4 or 5 occasions that we contacted in recent years, Chang mentioned his charity work and asked me if myself or any other friends were still in touch with our classmate Kaori, a Japanese girl who spent many years in Africa with the Red Cross and the United Nations, helping the poor in Africa.Chang wants to contact her so he can discuss more philanthropic options and how to diversify and better utilize his contributions. I can really feel that even though Chang built a successful company, he still maintains a "giving back" attitude and positive philosophy, and he wants to give back and contribute more to charity so that he can have more positive impact on society and help more people, even if he doesn't know them.
Chang is one of my best friends, he is a very friendly and very decent person. I sincerely hope that nothing bad will happen to him. So please consider all aspects of him and all situations before making any decisions. Thank you very much.
161 letters from friends and relatives petitioning for CZ released by the court
Translated letter 9:
Dear Judge Jones,
United States Federal Court
700 Stewart Street, Suite 13128 Seattle, WA 98101-9906
Dear Judge Jones
I hope this letter is well with you. My name is James Joseph Hofbauer, I am a US citizen, born in Washington, DC, and raised in Maryland, and I have known Changpeng Zhao as a friend and colleague for over ten years. I first met Changpeng Zhao at a party at Fusion Systems Japan in the summer of 2011. Although Changpeng Zhao was a partner at Fusion Systems Japan and I was a new associate, he took the time to talk to me and listen to the projects I was working on. This meant a lot to me because I was a new employee at the beginning of my career and I was trying to get noticed and advance my career.
Later, in the spring of 2012, CZ became the owner of a system integration project I was working on for a retail bank in Japan. The project was very challenging, with a demanding client, a tight budget, and a tight deadline, and he was brought in to help lead the project in a better direction. CZ was well-liked by the engineers on the team and myself because he was a fair manager who was able to negotiate scope and deadlines well with our client. The project required a lot of extra effort, including mandatory overtime on weekends, and CZ would even join the team at the bank on weekends, even though he wasn’t required to do so as the “boss”. This meant a lot to me and the team because he practiced what he preached and worked on weekends like the rest of us. CZ also increased the frequency of team dinners so that we could release the stress that had accumulated due to the high demands of the project. CZ was able to greatly improve the morale and productivity of the team, and the project was successfully completed. CZ contributed to my professional growth during this time, and under his guidance, I was able to step up and become the lead developer on the project.
During the project, CZ and I became friends, and we kept in touch regularly even after the project was completed.Our families met, and we spent time together outside of work, such as designing and hand-building his son’s first gaming PC. CZ was and still is a good friend of mine.
We stayed in touch after we left Fusion Systems Japan, and started working together again in the spring of 2015, working on our startup, which ultimately led us to Binance. CZ showed a lot of trust in me, allowing me to build systems without any micro-management, and through our hard work we were able to successfully grow the business.
As the company grew, he was able to bring in many talented people and retain them because he is a fair and generous manager and colleague. In all the years I worked with CZ, he never made unreasonable demands or ultimatums for my technical work; this is very unusual in the tech field, as many managers often use the “either do this or you’re fired” strategy. Additionally, salary negotiations with CZ were always smooth, fair, and generous, and this has been the case in all the years we worked together.
Over the years I have known CZ, he has always been a responsible and accountable person. I was not surprised to hear that he voluntarily surrendered to the court in Seattle and pleaded guilty, once he realized his mistake and the severity of the error he had made. CZ told me many times to "do the right thing" and that he "believes in karma," so coming forward and taking responsibility is what I expected him to do.
Despite the mistakes CZ made, I believe he is a good man.
CZ has undoubtedly had a positive impact on me over the past 10+ years of our lives as friends and colleagues. I also believe that he has had a positive impact on many, possibly millions, of people around the world.
To my knowledge, CZ has had no prior run-ins with the law, and I hope that Your Excellency and the court will consider this fact, my letter, and his positive qualities when deciding on a fair and just punishment for his crimes. As he has demonstrated through his actions, he is ready and willing to take responsibility for his misconduct.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
James Joseph Hofbauer Signature confirmation: James Joseph Hofbauer #ZhaoChangpeng
161 letters from relatives and friends petitioning for CZ released by the court
Translated letter 8:
Dear Judge,
My name is Lily Dash, and I am a practicing attorney and entrepreneur from Barbados. I have had the privilege of knowing Changpeng Zhao (CZ) for nearly six years; in many ways, CZ has been a mentor and has guided me in various forums as a business founder and young entrepreneur. As a lawyer, I am well aware of the allegations that have now been heard, and I have taken the time to write this important personal letter of recommendation on behalf of my colleague and friend Changpeng Zhao "CZ".
Although he has a very prominent public persona and is known to the world - to me, he is CZ, a humble man who is willing to do his part to make the world a fairer place by empowering others. CZ has been a mentor to me in business since I met him, and we have developed a friendship that has given me the privilege of seeing his actions, both small and great moments, trigger major acts of kindness and thoughtfulness for those around him, which have a ripple effect as he traverses the realms of business and personal life. This let me know that CZ truly cared about the well-being of others more than he cared about himself. My first interaction with CZ was very memorable because of his public stances, which I would like to mention now. He demonstrated a unique approach to leadership that was refreshing and inspiring. I remember we sat around the large conference room table at the first meeting of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, which was convened to develop a policy outline to place cryptocurrencies under a sound regulatory framework. I noticed that after sitting down, CZ realized that no one around the conference room table had a glass of water, and he took the time to turn around and pour water for each glass, and finally poured a glass of water for himself. It was a small act of kindness, but it impressed me at the time that every great leader leads by example, even in the smallest details. Since our first meeting, I have encountered CZ at conferences and social events, and I have observed that he constantly adds positive encouragement to everyone around him, thus inspiring people to be better and do better. I attribute this to his curious mind and thirst for knowledge, which has led CZ to read and listen to a wide range of subject areas, from business, psychology, personal development, history, politics, science, and health.It provides a framework for an encouraging roadmap to do better by being better.
As a woman in business, CZ has always been willing to take the time to provide me with meaningful, direct advice, support and guidance in the largely male-dominated world of tech finance. He has always taken the time to ask about my work and given me the opportunity and space to ask him questions. He has always been willing to provide feedback and share his light and time with me, whether in private or on Club House calls with thousands of listeners.
Over the years, I have witnessed CZ give in big ways. In late 2022, when CZ, after visiting the island and requesting a briefing, became aware of the high rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Barbados, he immediately made a major multi-year social impact investment to establish a charitable private clinic to provide affordable and accessible medical care to those less fortunate. This social impact investment has already made a difference in the lives of more and more vulnerable Barbadians and will continue to do so as it bridges the gap between government benefits and private healthcare for those who are less well-off.
It is in matters of the heart that I see him giving the most. While CZ’s generosity of spirit in both big and small matters was remarkable, his greatest joy and treasure lay in his interactions with his family. CZ’s calm, patient, self-actualized demeanor was a gift he shared with his children and those closest to him. I never saw him angry, frustrated, or flustered in any situation; he was always positive no matter how disappointing the situation might be. He accepted reality as it was and understood nature and life. His oldest son, Ryan, was a testament to CZ’s leadership and patient character. Ryan was a polite, disciplined, generous, hard-working young man. Over time, I recognized teachable moments, one of which was when he taught his son the importance of tipping no matter the situation. CZ taught his children to give back to people that they must also give of themselves for the better; that you do not complain; instead, you look for ways to help. This simple lesson, at least to me, is a few indicators of CZ’s obvious values – integrity, generosity, and compassion for people.
I also noted that CZ was a loving son to his elderly mother, who traveled with him. CZ, his sister Jessica, and the children cherished her very much. It was inspiring to witness the harmony and love within CZ’s multi-generational, close-knit family.
In speaking with CZ, I realized that he understood the seriousness of the charges underpinning this case; I knew he felt remorse and had learned from this experience. I saw how this case had weighed on him and taken its toll. There is no doubt that CZ’s absence has and will have an immeasurable impact on the lives of his family, especially his very young children in Abu Dhabi, and his mother who depends on him. I humbly ask the court to offer the utmost leniency in these circumstances. While he made mistakes, he was certainly a powerful force for good in the world. Given the opportunity, I know CZ will continue to do his best to be an outstanding and responsible global citizen.
Thank you for taking the time to read my words of praise and respect for my dear friend Changpeng Zhao. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
161 letters from relatives and friends petitioning for CZ released by the court
Translated letter 7:
Dear Judge Jones,
United States Federal Court
700 Stewart Street, Suite 13128 Seattle, WA 98101-9906
Dear Judge Jones
My name is Gin Chao, and I write on behalf of my friend Changpeng Zhao (CZ) for the past 14 years. To provide background, I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of immigrant parents with academic values and a Midwestern work ethic. My father was a university professor and my mother was a university researcher who moved to Asia after retiring in 2004. I spent the first 15 years of my career in the United States in various professional services (management consulting, investment banking, private equity) before moving to China during the global financial crisis to further my career. It was there that I met CZ through mutual friends in the same community where we lived. I learned that we had similar family backgrounds, with his parents also immigrating to North America and having a scientific background. We connected through a worldview built on fundamental principles, logic, and integrity.
Having worked primarily for US multinationals in China, but realizing that some of our local partners and counterparties operated differently, I began to appreciate the value of trust in a world where contract law often falls short. One early observation that made me trust CZ over the years was during the friendly poker games we often enjoyed. I noticed that if a player put in too many or too few chips, CZ was always the first to correct the pot. In fact, he was so reliable that he noticed one person who often put in too few chips and talked to him on the side, stressing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game.
I believe this trait later influenced his mantra at Binance, which is to always protect user funds. In early 2019, CZ backed up his words with action when Binance ensured the safety of all user funds during a well-publicized security hack. CZ answered user questions and concerns through online AMA (Ask Me Anything) livestreams throughout the week. I have never seen or heard of any company managing a crisis with that kind of timeliness and transparency to its customers. In addition to protecting users, he has supported Binance employees in times of crisis, especially during the Covid pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, delivering supplies to people trapped during lockdowns around the world and helping relatives in safe areas in war zones.
I also want to share my thoughts on CZ’s way of thinking. We are both fans of first principles problem solving. In other words, why do people do what we do and how can it be done better? One book that influenced my perspective was Sapiens by Israeli professor Yuval Harari, which provides a species-level historical path to why and how society works to this day and may foretell the future. I shared this book with CZ many years ago and it ended up being the first book on his recommended reading list.
When he learned about blockchain technology, it was an obvious solution in the context of removing the trust required in many business and financial transactions. He really wanted to help users around the world adopt this technology and for his employees to understand it from a first principles level. He has a strong admiration for CEOs in the United States who weigh the greater good on a global scale. In theory, this would align the interests of all stakeholders. In practice, this is not always the case due to the existence of numerous competing agendas around the world. However, in the long run, this approach often leads to the right side of history.
I hope this letter helps to understand the kind of person CZ I have come to know over the course of our friendship. I respect CZ for admitting mistakes made with regard to US jurisdiction and trying to provide the best service to his users and employees when trying to navigate a startup through the unclear global waters of an emerging industry. Thank you for your time and attention.
My name is Ron Cao, and I am a founding partner of Sky9 Capital. After growing up in Boston and attending college at MIT, I moved to Silicon Valley to work at Intel and later became a venture capitalist. For the past 24 years, I have built technology startups in the United States and Asia as a venture capitalist. Sky9 Capital is an international early-stage venture capital firm, with partners advising funds with over $1.8 billion in assets and offices in Singapore and China. I am writing to offer my unwavering support to Changpeng Zhao both personally and professionally.
I have known Changpeng Zhao for about 18 years, and we quickly became friends after being introduced by our entrepreneurial circles. Changpeng Zhao is a few years younger than me and, like me, immigrated to North America from China. From an early age, our parents instilled similar core values in us, with a strong emphasis on hard work and educational excellence. After studying computer science at Canada's prestigious McGill University, CZ started his career at Bloomberg before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey.
CZ is a builder and technologist focused on technologies with global impact. I met CZ after he founded his first company, a technology consultancy that built on his software development expertise. He wanted to explore whether he could build a larger product business. With this goal in mind, CZ discussed various entrepreneurial ideas with me and others. His initial main ideas were around disrupting traditional internet and mobile technologies, but when blockchain began to emerge, CZ became very interested and wondered how to leverage this new platform. In 2013, we first discussed Bitcoin and blockchain technology, and it was clear that CZ was very interested in the potential of this new innovation. He quickly knew that he wanted to dedicate the next chapter of his career to this field and its ability to bring positive change to society, and that was the genesis of Binance.
CZ wanted to build a business with long-term impact and an institution that would last.While many initial startups in the blockchain space are focused on short-term returns, what stands out about CZ is his unique desire to build a world-changing company focused on financial trust and security. As he embraces blockchain technology, there are already many exchanges on the market, but existing players lack many of the consumer protections common in the financial services and online brokerage industries.
CZ has indeed acknowledged his mistakes and is taking full responsibility and accountability. I believe that after pleading guilty to the court and agreeing to pay a fine, in addition to making amends for these mistakes, CZ and Binance as an institution will emerge stronger by learning from these oversights. CZ is still in the prime of his career, and with real-world experience as a guide, I firmly believe that CZ will apply the lessons learned in building Binance to continue to contribute positively to society. Technology will continue to shape our society in unimaginable ways, and I believe CZ will be a significant industry leader who can help consumers embrace these new technologies.
Thank you for considering and taking the time to read my support for CZ. I ask that you consider leniency given CZ’s outstanding history and his ability to make a positive impact on society, while noting his remorse and his leadership role as he takes responsibility. Changpeng Zhao has a strong network of mentors, investors, and executives who will support his personal growth and learning from these mistakes.
The fifth letter downloaded, ex-wife, can be viewed without translation:
Dear Judge Jones,
Hello. My name is Yang Weiqing. I met Mr. Zhao Changpeng in 1999 and married in 2003.
We raised two children together. In the 25 years since I met Changpeng, Zhao Changpeng is a very responsible person to his wife, children and family, has ideals for his career, and is very positive and optimistic. Despite repeated setbacks in his entrepreneurial career, he took meticulous care of me and the children during the most difficult period.
Changpeng started from scratch. His parents did not give him any cash assets or inheritance. After I got married, I have been a full-time wife and have never participated in work. Changpeng has always borne all the expenses of the family. Before the success of Binance, Changpeng had several failed entrepreneurial experiences. But when the entrepreneurial failure was the most difficult, he still maintained the household expenses for me and the children. He attaches importance to the education of children, and at the same time respects my choice of educational direction. He did his best to maintain the children's education in international schools. And Changpeng also paid off all the debts of investors through his own efforts every time.
He never owed money to others and had no debts. I still remember clearly that when our children were babies and toddlers, Changpeng tried his best to accompany them to grow up, and rarely missed any opportunity to take care of them personally.
Changing diapers, feeding, accompanying children on trips, etc. Until the establishment of Binance in 2017, the children were also in adolescence, and Changpeng became busier and busier. He would come back to support the children as soon as possible when the children encountered problems in school, and help the children solve one school problem after another. At that time, my children and I lived in Tokyo, Japan. Even though we were far away, our two children always maintained close communication with their father. What impressed me most was that our son participated in the Boy Scouts of America in junior high school. As we all know, many activities of the Boy Scouts need to be completed together with the father. Once in a camping activity, the father and son went camping by a mountain river in Japan with other members of the Boy Scouts for two days.We pitched tents together, made fires and cooked together, slept in tents together in cold weather, and so on.
In just two days, our son learned a lot from his father. For example, perseverance, kindness, love for family, not afraid of hardship, and staying positive and optimistic in difficult times to face challenges.
Changpeng's love for his 82-year-old mother and sister is also very selfless.
Changpeng has also taken care of my family for many years. He helped my parents buy a house in Tokyo. He also helped my nephew find a job.
As early as 2018, less than a year after its establishment, Binance decided to withdraw from the Japanese market. A few months later, Japan was flooded, and Binance donated tens of millions of yen to the disaster area in Japan. At that time, my family and friends in Japan were very grateful for his cross-border contributions to the disaster area and the victims. Changpeng has also done a lot of charity in various countries, including building schools in Africa, donations to the Turkish earthquake, and donations after the Covid outbreak in Wuhan, China. Many of them he may not remember. A man who values his family, friends and children's education is very loving and kind, and a responsible man.
I beg the judge to give a light sentence and give Changpeng a chance to continue to take care of his family.
The fourth letter translated, still from Zhao Changpeng's child
Dear Judge Jones
I extend my warm greetings to you. My name is Ryan Zhao, and I write this letter to share my personal experience with my father, the defendant Zhao Changpeng. I am currently a first-year computer science student at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.
My father has always been a pillar of strength and guidance in my life. One of my earliest memories takes me back to Lake Louise in Canada, where we walked along the shoreline of the lake. I was six years old at the time and would ask him questions about the different plants and insects we saw, and he did his best to answer every question. He never ignored any question I asked, no matter how obvious the answer was, and would even take the initiative to open up a conversation and ask me about the natural world around us. He nurtured and encouraged me to always be curious, and it was through our interactions that I developed a passion for learning and things in and out of school.
In addition, my father's commitment to supporting my sister and me and ensuring our well-being has always been steadfast. I remember that not long after starting Binance in Shanghai, the rest of our family was still living in Tokyo. It was an extremely crazy and challenging time for him, he was working 16 hours a day, seven days a week, but he still managed to find time to visit us in Japan. Also, I was in adolescence at the time and in a rebellious phase: I was always in a bad mood and always fighting with my parents. Even when he was under a lot of pressure running a startup, he was still very understanding and supportive and never fought back against me.
My father's support also showed up when my sister, my mother and I moved to Shanghai to live with my father after I graduated from high school until he left the country due to increased business opportunities in Singapore. But even when we were physically apart, such as during the coronavirus pandemic, he continued to support me in school and provide guidance to me whenever I talked to him online.
In my entire life, all his actions seemed normal, as if everything he did for me was what a father should do, and I took his actions for granted.But as I started college and left the bubble my parents raised me in, my world expanded exponentially, and the more people I met, the more I realized how lucky I was to have CZ as my father. Despite the challenges he faced, my father always demonstrated integrity, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility for my sister and me.
I implore your Excellency to view my father not just through the current situation, but through the entirety of his life. The impact of this situation, while profound, does not define the entirety of his character. I hope the scales of justice will weigh not just selective actions, but the essence of a loving father whose life was defined by values, morals, and resilience.
Translated letter 3: From Zhao Changpeng’s child Dear Judge Jones, I am writing this letter to you as Zhao Changpeng’s daughter. I am currently a sophomore at New York University, majoring in psychology. I hope to express the profound impact my father has had on my life and reveal the qualities he possesses as a father. My father has always been someone I respect, admire, and love deeply. He is an excellent father who has given me unconditional love and guidance, and now I hope to be able to give him back. As a child, I always sat on his shoulders and giggled non-stop, and he supported my weight and made me laugh. I remember every family vacation we took. He would sit on the beach with my brother and me and patiently teach us how to build sand castles together on the beaches of Thailand, the Philippines, Okinawa, China, and many other places. When I was about 7 or 8 years old, my father, who was also a roller skating enthusiast himself, taught my brother and me how to roller skate. Although we kept falling or tripping, he never yelled at us or gave up teaching us. When he held our hands, the sense of security that a father naturally gives to children emerged naturally, allowing us to completely trust him, even though this activity was full of fear for us. Among other activities, Dad also taught us how to ski and snowboard during this time. During my teenage years, I had a temper that was short-tempered and irrational. But Dad always took my emotions seriously, talked to me calmly, and guided me in my thinking. One vivid memory is when I was 12 years old and felt overwhelmed by frustration and threw a toy against the wall during a tantrum. Although my mother immediately asked me to go back to my room, my father later approached me and talked to me calmly to help me navigate my emotions. This incident reflects his commitment to understanding and communicating with me even in challenging moments. Dad was always busy with work. If I were selfish, I would have preferred him to be around more; but the time I spent with him was very happy, and I knew he was also trying his best to make time for me. Although my parents have been separated since I was in high school, my father continued and always provided support.High school was tough for me. Moving to a new country as a sophomore, I was having trouble keeping up both academically and socially. My mother was a little concerned, so I think she reached out to my dad and asked him to talk to me about my situation. I soon received a message from my dad, who asked how I was doing and gave me advice about school. He made his unwavering commitment to my well-being very clear through his advice and encouragement. I will never forget the gap semester I spent with him after high school, shadowing him at work, meeting insightful people, and making personal memories as a father and daughter. He made it both fun and expanded my learning opportunities. One particular trip that was both a horizon-opening and bonding experience for us was a trip to Kenya organized by a very successful entrepreneur friend of my dad’s. Dad would normally avoid trips like this, but he took the invitation because of me. On this trip, I met many self-made entrepreneurs and heard their stories as well as my dad’s. Their experiences with their businesses and industries opened my eyes to what the future could hold. It was also a chance for me to ask questions and be a little shadow of them all. Towards the end of the trip, when everyone was asked, “What was the best part of this trip?”, while everyone was talking about this wonderful trip, my dad said something that left me in awe; “I am so grateful for this trip because it gave me the opportunity to spend time with my daughter.” Dad has never been an emotional or expressive person. I am grateful that he was able to express his feelings for me. With this enlightening experience, I was able to witness my dad’s genuine appreciation for the time we spent together. Even though we don’t see each other often now, distance has not stopped his support and love for me. I am still the little girl who can turn to him when I have boy problems and he always gives me the best advice. I still turn to him when I hit a roadblock with academic or career issues and he offers wise insights into my future. As a daughter, I implore your Excellency to consider my father’s positive qualities; don’t define my father’s character by just this one incident and consider his entire character.He is a role model and the best father; his values and morals extend far beyond this specific situation, and I am sure he will continue to have a positive impact on my life and the lives of those around him. Thank you for taking the time and considering my perspective. Sincerely, Rachel Zhao
On April 30, Hong Kong's China Asset Management Bitcoin ETF and Ethereum were officially listed, denominated in US dollars, Hong Kong dollars, and RMB.
Yesterday, the US Bitcoin ETF was outflowed again, and the Bitcoin price fell again, falling below 64,000, and then recovered and is now consolidating.
Short-term investors should take advantage of the opportunity, and long-term spot investors should hold on to it.