In response to false claims that he is included on Interpol's "red notice" list, the chief executive of the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world is attempting to combat the spread of new fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD).
An photograph that appears to have been doctored and that has been circulating on Twitter shows a photo of Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) on the red notice web page of Interpol. The image gives the impression that the cryptocurrency giant is dealing with significant legal troubles.
A red notice is a request that is sent to law enforcement agencies all around the world, instructing them to "find and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or comparable legal action." CZ asserts that the picture has been digitally altered.
Cryptocurrency industry influencer Cobie was the one who started the rumor that Interpol is searching for CZ after she tweeted a SHA256 hash that included an encrypted message that said, "Interpol Red Notice for CZ." The message started the rumor that Interpol was looking for CZ.
Cobie asserts that the message was nothing more than an improbable prediction and a rumor, and that no one should have been able to read it in the first place. "Having uploaded SHA256 hash of rumors more than twenty times in the past year without the secret being exposed - the purpose of a hash commitment scheme is that nobody is supposed to be able to read them until after the secret has been revealed…
Yet, this is neither a forecast nor fact; it's just a rumor. It is obviously impossible for it to be inside information because there would have to be real leaks within Interpol, which seems improbable. In the meantime, CZ encourages players in the cryptocurrency market to ignore unconfirmed rumors and speculation.
"If you panic sell on false information or images that have been altered, you probably won't become wealthy. Put a stop to the sources of FUD."