Today's Squawk Pod is brought to you by the letters CZ, SBF, FTX … and BUSD? AML? There is, seemingly, no end to the many, many abbreviations, initials and vernacular related to the collapse of crypto exchange FTX and the aborted deal by the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, to buy it out before bankruptcy.  Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao “CZ” slams the behavior of his one-time friend and professional rival, FTX’s former leader Sam Bankman-Fried: “I’m just shocked.” CZ tells his behind-the-scenes story of Binance’s due diligence into the books at FTX and decision to walk away from acquiring the platform. Squawk Box anchors Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin get into all the tweets, the tokens, the DMs, the PR stunts, and what’s next for folks at places like the SEC and the DOJ.  Plus, the Republicans make a House majority official and Ticketmaster’s Taylor Swift fiasco hits Swifties of all generations. 

In this episode:

CZ, @cz_binance

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie