After his recent release, Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, made his first public appearance at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai. The former CEO and founder of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has no plans to return to his previous role, which he held for seven years.
During the event, Zhao discussed his future ambitions and shared insights on the broader cryptocurrency industry. Reflecting briefly on his four-month incarceration in the United States after pleading guilty to lapses in anti-money laundering practices at Binance, he described the experience as challenging but mentioned having met individuals he now hopes to assist with their own release.
While he refrained from commenting on the fairness of his sentencing, he pointed out that he was the only individual jailed for violations related to the Bank Secrecy Act. Regarding his plea deal, CZ dispelled rumors of a permanent ban from leading a cryptocurrency exchange, though he remains uncertain if he could ever assume the CEO role at Binance again.
CZ shared that, even if allowed, he has no desire to resume daily management duties at Binance, expressing some relief over stepping back from operational control. Despite this, he retains significant influence as a major shareholder. Going forward, he plans to concentrate on projects like Giggle Academy, where he hopes to provide education access to over a billion people.
CZ also signaled his ongoing commitment to the cryptocurrency sector, alongside investments in AI and biotech. He remains optimistic about Bitcoin's trajectory, predicting steady growth over the coming months. While he avoided giving a specific price prediction, he noted that Bitcoin’s 2025 performance could be highly promising, citing historical trends following prior halvings.
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