Key Highlights
- Changpeng Zhao opens up about his prison experience at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai
- Emphasizes the importance of human connections and community during his time in prison
- Announces new focus on Giggle Academy, an educational non-profit initiative
- Plans to continue supporting blockchain, AI, and biotech developments in the crypto space
Changpeng Zhao, often known as "CZ," recently shared his thoughts on life after prison and his future plans beyond his role as Binance CEO.
Speaking for the first time since his release, CZ addressed a packed audience at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai, reflecting on his experience behind bars and the priorities he’s set for the next chapter of his life.
Having served a four-month prison sentence related to violations of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, CZ’s insights provided a unique look at how the former Binance CEO’s time away has shifted his perspective on life and business.
CZ Said His Time in Prison Was a Time to Reflect and Grow
Changpeng Zhao described his prison experience as both humbling and transformative. Recounting his time in confinement, he spoke about the challenges and lessons he encountered.
“When everything is taken away from you, what do you miss the most? I realized it’s the connection between people – family, friends, and my Binance community,” Zhao said on stage.
He emphasized that the most valuable takeaway from his prison experience was the understanding of how essential human connections are.
CZ also shared a humorous anecdote about his time in prison, mentioning that some of the prison guards recognized him and would ask for cryptocurrency advice. “A few prison guards asked me, like, which coin should I buy? I thought, it's better if I don’t pick the wrong coin,” Zhao said, which sparked laughter from the audience.
A New Direction with Giggle Academy
Since stepping down as Binance CEO, Changpeng Zhao has shifted his focus toward creating a broader impact through education. At the event, he introduced Giggle Academy, a non-profit online learning platform aimed at providing educational opportunities to underserved communities.
Wearing a t-shirt featuring the Giggle Academy logo, CZ explained that the project’s mission is to reach over a billion people worldwide who lack access to fundamental education.
Through Giggle Academy, CZ intends to support individuals who would otherwise have limited access to learning resources.
“Education should be a right, not a privilege,” he said, highlighting the platform’s goal of empowering people through knowledge. Zhao envisions this initiative as a major part of his legacy, emphasizing that he is committed to making a positive difference beyond the world of finance.
Expanding Horizons in Blockchain and Technology
Even after his departure from Binance, CZ continues to hold a 90% ownership stake in the company, which has remained a dominant player in the cryptocurrency world.
While he is legally barred from managing Binance operations directly, Zhao expressed pride in the company's resilience and growth, calling it “every founder’s dream.” His influence on Binance remains substantial, and he plans to use his resources to advance the broader cryptocurrency industry.
Looking forward, CZ plans to focus on emerging fields like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. Additionally, he is working to complete a book that has been in the works for some time, a project he says will further share his perspective on cryptocurrency, technology, and personal growth.
“There are always more opportunities in the future than there were in the past,” he noted, showing his optimism and readiness to embrace new possibilities in the tech world.