Jay Chou Calls Out Friend Publicly in Alleged Crypto Dispute

Taiwan-based pop singer Jay Chou has ignited widespread speculation after a series of social media posts publicly calling out his longtime friend and magician Will Tsai, allegedly over a financial dispute involving NT$100 million (US$3.25 million) related to cryptocurrency investments, Red Star News reported today.

The controversy erupted when Chou posted two messages targeting Tsai, with the second escalating into a direct ultimatum on Instagram: "This friend has been missing for a while, giving all kinds of excuses — which I believed. Please finish your performance. Do you think I'm not a magician? If you don't show up soon, you're finished." Chou has since unfollowed Tsai on social media, signaling a deepening rift between the once-close collaborators.

According to Sanxiang Metropolis Daily, the two are believed to be embroiled in a financial dispute involving up to NT$100 million, which also reportedly caused losses to a third party. Jay Chou's label, JVR Music, has reportedly received court documents related to the claims, though the company has not yet issued any official response.

Citing earlier coverage, the 21st Century Business Review reported that Chou has been searching for Tsai for several months, with the conflict centered around cryptocurrency investments.

Will Tsai, a 41-year-old magician from Taiwan, gained fame in 2017 after a stunning "coin-to-petal" magic performance on a televised show. His shared interest in magic soon led to a close friendship with Chou.

In response to Chou's public call-out, Tsai broke his silence — though without addressing the reasons for his absence or the alleged dispute. He first reposted Chou's message with the caption, "It really has been a long time," accompanied by a greeting sticker.

He later shared a black-screen statement with white text reading, "Sorry, I will be deactivating my social media for a while and won't be responding to messages temporarily."

The case highlights broader concerns around informal investment arrangements in the cryptocurrency sector. Xiao Sa, a senior partner at Beijing Dacheng Law Office, noted that entrusting acquaintances to invest in crypto is not uncommon — and neither are subsequent legal disputes.