Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, Binance’s founder and former CEO, made his first public appearance since his recent prison release, speaking at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai.
The event drew a standing-room-only crowd eager to hear CZ, who served four months in a U.S. prison after pleading guilty to Anti-Money Laundering violations under the Bank Secrecy Act. In his speech, Zhao expressed optimism for the future of crypto regulation globally, noting that sentiment around digital assets seems to be shifting, particularly in the context of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
A Candid CZ
CZ was candid about his time in prison, reflecting on the lack of freedom and the personal toll, especially being away from family and colleagues. Despite the challenges, Zhao acknowledged the unique nature of his case, contrasting it with recent corporate settlements involving similar charges but without individual jail time. As he spoke, he wryly noted the timing of his sentencing, especially with prominent U.S. political figures—Republican Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris—now publicly addressing cryptocurrency issues on the campaign trail.
Giggle Academy
During his time on stage, Zhao highlighted his new venture, Giggle Academy, an education-focused platform aimed at reaching underserved communities, particularly adult women and children who lack basic education access. He shared some sobering statistics: approximately 700-800 million adults globally are illiterate, with two-thirds being women, alongside 300-500 million children who do not attend school. Giggle Academy, which he had announced last year, is Zhao’s attempt to fill these education gaps in regions underserved by traditional schooling.
When asked about his future plans, Zhao mentioned his continued interest in investments beyond crypto, particularly in AI, biotech, and blockchain technologies. His successor, Binance CEO Richard Teng, emphasized “momentum” as the guiding theme for the upcoming year, citing the potential approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. as a milestone for the industry. The conference reportedly hosted around 4,000 attendees, with over a million viewers tuning in to livestreams, signaling strong interest in the evolving crypto landscape, and of course, the popularity of CZ himself.
