Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, made a strong comeback at the recently concluded Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai, which took place on 30–31 October.
His first public appearance since being released from a U.S. prison last month captivated a large audience.
Zhao, often referred to as CZ, recently completed a four-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act related to Binance's anti-money laundering practices.
In addition to a $50 million personal fine, Binance agreed to a substantial $4.3 billion settlement, one of the largest financial penalties in history, which generated a varied response within the crypto community.
As he stepped onto the stage, he was welcomed with thunderous applause from the audience.
Zhao addressed the crowd of over 4,000 attendees, alongside an additional one million viewers streaming online.
His session commenced on a light note, initiated by Altcoin Daily founder Austin Arnold, who cheekily asked,
“How was your summer?”
CZ on the stage with Altcoin Daily founder Austin Arnold.
However, the mood shifted as Zhao recounted his prison experience, which he described as restrictive but ultimately enlightening.
He noted that confinement provides him ample opportunity for reflection, stating,
The most poignant of these reflections was a renewed appreciation for his family, friends, colleagues, and the wider community, as he realised he missed human connection the most during his time away.
He candidly acknowledged,
“It helped me to refocus my priorities in my life.”
During his time in prison, the former Binance CEO developed friendships with fellow inmates, many of whom he still keeps in contact with.
He reported that he experienced no violence while incarcerated, despite earlier concerns about his safety as one of the wealthiest individuals to serve time in the United States.
He recalled a light-hearted moment when some guards recognised him and asked for cryptocurrency investment advice, to which he jokingly responded,
“I better not pick the wrong coin.”
Despite his release, Zhao indicated he would not return to managing a crypto exchange, citing the complexities and pressures surrounding his sentencing process.
“I just want to move on,” he remarked, emphasising his desire for a fresh start.
During his address, Zhao also commented on the shifting political landscape in the United States, noting how presidential candidates, including Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, are now openly discussing cryptocurrency in their campaigns.
Reflecting on the bizarre nature of his situation, he quipped,
“I’m just sitting in prison like, ‘What the hell happened? What if I waited for two months?’”
Looking ahead, Zhao shared his commitment to Giggle Academy, an educational platform aimed at serving underserved communities around the globe.
He highlighted the alarming statistic that 700–800 million adults are illiterate, including 300–500 million children without access to formal education.
He pointed out,
“Educational projects usually target areas with existing education systems.”
Besides education, Zhao expressed his intent to invest in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and blockchain technology.
His successor at Binance, CEO Richard Teng, echoed this sentiment, discussing the theme of “momentum” for the upcoming year and pointing to recent regulatory advances, such as the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, as positive indicators for industry growth.
When asked about his sentence, Zhao reflected on the uniqueness of his situation.
He stated that part of his plea deal restricted him from expressing negative opinions about it, yet he noted the unprecedented nature of his punishment for a Bank Secrecy Act violation.
He explained that he was the first to be imprisoned for it, contrasting his experience with the recent $3 billion fines imposed on TD Bank for similar money laundering violations.
Despite this, he acknowledged,
“I was fortunate to only have to serve four months,” especially when compared to the lengthy sentences faced by many other inmates.
Discussing his ongoing relationship with Binance, Zhao mentioned that while he could not engage in the day-to-day operations of the company, he believed his shareholders' rights remained intact.
He stated,
“The relationship was a ‘good one’ in that others work hard, and I am ‘forced to retire.’”
He also shared the emotional difficulty of detaching from the company he had dedicated so much to, acknowledging that the first month post-release was particularly challenging.
As he moves forward, Zhao is resolute about remaining “very, very bullish” on cryptocurrency, aiming to channel his energies into investments and his educational initiatives, all while reflecting on the lessons learned during his time away from the industry.
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