In a recent incident that has raised eyebrows in the crypto community, Pratik Gauri, the founder of 5ireChain, was accused of attempting to use a casual selfie with Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, for what appears to be a misleading promotional endeavor.
The controversial incident unfolded when Gauri shared a selfie with CZ on social media, captioning the image “What’s cooking?” The post, which has since been deleted, was garnished with a handshake emoji, seemingly implying an under-the-table deal or hidden development between Gauri and the high-profile executive.
However, CZ was quick to dispel any misconceptions that might have arisen from Gauri’s post. In a swift response, he clarified that the selfie was nothing more than a random snapshot taken at an event, and there had been no conversation or potential collaboration between the two. “This is exactly how NOT to use a selfie with me,” CZ emphatically stated on his Twitter handle, adding a lighthearted emoji to the tweet.
CZ didn’t stop there. He further admonished the practice of misusing selfies for promotional purposes in a subsequent post, advising his followers to be “alarmed” if they encounter such instances. “Posting selfies when I meet someone I like/admire is normal. But I would never use that to promote my project, unless with explicit permission,” CZ explained, thereby setting a clear boundary on the appropriate use of his image.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ethical considerations that are sometimes overlooked in the fast-paced world of crypto. While the industry advocates for transparency, trust, and integrity, instances like these highlight the need for caution and due diligence. It also emphasizes the importance of fact-checking before jumping to conclusions based on social media posts.
As the crypto community continues to grow and evolve, it is incidents like this that help to establish vital boundaries and standards. It’s a lesson that a selfie is not just a selfie when it’s used as a promotional tool without explicit permission, particularly when it involves individuals of CZ’s stature.
In conclusion, the incident underlines the need for ethical conduct in the realm of cryptocurrency. While it is a sector known for its innovation and dynamism, it must also uphold the principles of honesty and respect for individual rights. As CZ’s response clearly demonstrates, the misuse of someone’s image for promotional purposes is not only inappropriate—it’s a breach of trust that the community should stand firmly against.
