CZ Challenges Coinbase with Bold Push for BNB Chain Projects

Key Points

• CZ urges Coinbase to support more BNB Chain Projects
• Coinbase adds BNB token to its official roadmap
• Industry debates fairness, fees, and listing strategies
• Rivalry between major CEXs intensifies amid growing scrutiny

In a bold and public move, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has challenged Coinbase to list more BNB Chain Projects, just hours after the U.S.-based exchange added Binance’s BNB token to its official listing roadmap.

CZ posted on X (formerly Twitter), urging Coinbase to show the same support Binance has offered to projects built on Base, Coinbase’s own Layer-2 chain.

Moreover, I would urge Coinbase to list more @BNBChain projects. @Binance has listed several Base projects. Don’t think Coinbase has listed a single @BNBChain project yet. And it’s a more active chain.

Not a trade. Just recommending, given we are on the topic of being open,… https://t.co/16WkVUM6Om

— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) October 16, 2025

“I would urge Coinbase to list more BNB Chain Projects. Binance has listed several Base projects. Don’t think Coinbase has listed a single BNB Chain Project yet. And it’s a more active chain,” CZ wrote.

This message wasn’t just a passing thought, it reignited long-standing tensions between the two largest centralized exchanges (CEXs). The timing of his post, right after Coinbase acknowledged BNB, fueled speculation that CZ wants reciprocity as a show of mutual respect and fairness.

> Jesse posts about CEX listing fees
> Base project founder says fk it and publicly exposes Binance listing demands
> CZ and Binance fight back
> Ppl across the industry post their sides

> Coinbase lists BNB

?????

— voh (@vohvohh) October 15, 2025

Coinbase’s roadmap addition for BNB was perceived as a symbolic gesture, indicating openness. However, the token’s actual trading launch depends on technical and liquidity requirements, which may take weeks or even months to complete.

For many, this move raised a critical question: Is Coinbase ready to genuinely engage with BNB Chain Projects, or is it just capitalizing on headlines? This also follows broader Coinbase investment news involving expansion and new partnerships.

CEX Listing Wars Expose Power Struggles

The public back-and-forth between CZ and Coinbase execs quickly morphed into what crypto users on X are calling the “CEX listing wars.” At the core of this battle is a larger issue, how centralized exchanges choose which projects to list, and why.

Several industry voices chimed in. A Base project founder accused Binance of charging excessive fees for token listings, adding fuel to the debate. At the same time, Coinbase has faced criticism for rarely listing tokens outside the Ethereum ecosystem—making its roadmap move for BNB surprising to many.

Cecilia Hsueh, Chief Strategy Officer at MEXC exchange, offered a balanced take:

“At MEXC, our first principle is simple,  list more, list fast to meet user demand. We do charge a listing fee, but it’s small… and goes into helping projects promote their launch.”

Some thoughts on listing:

1. At MEXC, our first principle is simple — list more, list fast to meet user demand.

2. We do charge a listing fee, but it’s small, probably the lowest among top CEXs, and it mostly goes into helping projects promote their launch.

3. MEXC has strong…

— Cecilia Hsueh (@cecilia_hsueh) October 15, 2025

This response highlighted the vastly different business models used by exchanges. While some prioritize accessibility and speed, others aim for slow and selective listings based on strict criteria. The truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Still, CZ’s push for BNB Chain Projects to get fair representation on Coinbase shines a spotlight on a deeper truth: central exchanges are gatekeepers of liquidity. Their listing decisions can make or break early-stage projects.

This isn’t the first time Binance’s token strategy has drawn attention. Recent reports highlight Binance token demand issues, with developers calling out underutilization despite growing adoption.

Why BNB Chain Projects Matter Now More Than Ever

The focus on BNB Chain Projects isn’t just about platform rivalry—it reflects broader changes in the crypto landscape. As DeFi and Web3 ecosystems grow, users are pushing for interoperability between chains rather than brand-based isolation.

BNB Chain, launched by Binance, has quietly become one of the most active Layer-1 ecosystems. It supports thousands of dApps, DeFi platforms, and GameFi projects, with lower fees and high transaction speeds. Yet, many of its native projects are absent from top U.S.-based platforms like Coinbase.

By not listing BNB Chain Projects, exchanges like Coinbase risk missing out on exposure to millions of users engaging with a thriving ecosystem.

At the same time, regulators and users alike are demanding more openness and cross-chain compatibility. For example, Coinbase’s Base chain has gained quick traction due to its ease of use and integration with Ethereum wallets.

Binance, in turn, has supported Base-native projects, demonstrating cross-chain support in practice.

But the road goes both ways. If Coinbase is serious about decentralization and inclusion, as it claims, then listing BNB Chain Projects could be a natural next step.

Doing so would not only reduce friction in the crypto economy but also bridge ecosystems that often compete instead of collaborate. It could signal a future where chains are chosen based on functionality and community—not company loyalty.

Meanwhile, Binance has recently faced scrutiny over how it allocates project funds. A report revealed a BNB cancer fund sitting unused, raising transparency concerns.

The broader message from CZ is clear: exchanges should compete on features, not favoritism.

And the community seems to agree. X threads and crypto forums are lighting up with support for fair listing practices and more transparency around how these decisions are made.

As crypto fraud cases surge globally, trust in centralized exchanges becomes even more critical. Failing to support valid, growing ecosystems like BNB Chain Projects could create further gaps in the space.

If Coinbase responds with actual listings from the BNB Chain, it could mark a historic moment of cooperation between two of crypto’s biggest players.

If not, the “CEX listing wars” will likely heat up even further, especially as investor confidence in Bitcoin dips amid uncertain market dynamics.