Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has issued a public warning following the emergence of fraudulent tokens mimicking the newly launched Trump-affiliated stablecoin, USD1. Though the real USD1 has been deployed on the BNB Chain, CZ emphasized that the official version is not yet trading, urging users to avoid counterfeit versions.

Wintermute’s Role and On-Chain Activity

On-chain analysis reveals that the market maker Wintermute is involved in the early phases of USD1. Data from Etherscan confirms wallet activity tied to Wintermute, which currently holds over $85 million. The contract, launched 20 days ago on the BNB Chain, has already processed more than 10,000 transactions, signaling strong network interest.

Wintermute’s move coincides with its recent announcement to expand into the U.S. market. The USD1 launch on March 4 is viewed by some as a revival effort for the Binance ecosystem, which has faced recent challenges.

Binance, Trump, and Political Speculation

Speculation around Binance’s links to Trump’s crypto venture—World Liberty Financial (WLFI)—has intensified. While Binance has previously expressed interest in collaborating with Trump-associated initiatives, CZ denies any direct involvement with WLFI’s current stablecoin launch.

Facing legal battles in the U.S., CZ has also expressed openness to accepting a presidential pardon, though he insists no discussions with Trump’s team have taken place. He accused the media of fabricating narratives, stating he has no business ties with Trump’s crypto outfit.

As USD1 continues drawing attention, both Binance and Wintermute remain under scrutiny amid a fast-evolving mix of crypto innovation, political alliances, and regulatory tension.

In the meantime, Trump family has expressed interest in buying a stake in Binance