The X account of Changpeng Zhao (CZ), former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, operated despite Zhao currently being imprisoned.
The account recently followed a Solana (SOL) themed news account, sparking interesting speculation.
Federal regulations strictly prohibit prisoners from using cell phones, and Zhao largely adhered to those rules with his latest post dated May 22. However, this latest follow on his account raises questions about how this could happen.
There are several theories on this subject. One possibility is that Zhao may have managed to smuggle a cell phone into his cell, a common occurrence in prisons. Forbes reports that phone smuggling is much easier in minimum or low security prisons, such as the FCI Lompoc II prison where Zhao is being held.
Another theory is that Zhao may have allowed someone else access to his X account, but did not inform his followers of such an arrangement. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has proposed criminalizing what it considers a high-risk violation, such as fighting or damaging property. The proposal includes banning prisoners from accessing, using or maintaining social media accounts or directing others to do so on their behalf.
There is also the possibility that Zhao's account was hacked, which is a common situation on social media platforms.
Zhao's last tweet was a congratulatory message to Binance's current CEO Richard Teng for a pizza for Bitcoin Pizza Day. Zhao is scheduled to be released on September 29.
*This is not investment advice.