tl;dr
Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao shared his vision of cryptocurrency’s future intertwined with AI advancement, praising President Trump’s July 2024 endorsement of digital assets and contrasting it with prior regulatory challenges. CZ highlighted key legislative achievements under Trump, opposed C...
Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao shared his visionary outlook on the future of cryptocurrency, intertwining digital assets with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Speaking at a “Fireside Chat” during WebX in Tokyo, CZ highlighted a significant transformation in US crypto policy, praising President Donald Trump’s July 2024 endorsement of digital assets. This marked a stark contrast to the previous administration’s adversarial regulatory approach, which CZ likened to “being in prison.”
CZ applauded three key legislative achievements during the Trump era, including measures on stablecoins and the Genius Act, while voicing opposition to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). He emphasized that the administration understands crypto’s disruptive power but prefers fostering innovation over falling behind on the global stage.
On the intersection of crypto and artificial intelligence, CZ predicted that cryptocurrencies will become the natural medium of exchange for AI, as traditional fiat currencies and banking systems fail to meet AI’s programmable needs. CZ envisions a future where hundreds or thousands of AI agents operate per person, multiplying economic output by 100 to 1,000 times, with many microtransactions taking place over blockchain networks.
After stepping down from Binance, CZ has dedicated efforts to education through Giggle Academy, which currently serves 50,000 children. He estimates that digitizing the entire 18 years of schooling would cost about $300 million, a fraction of the US government’s $110 billion annual education budget. Additionally, CZ advises over a dozen governments and world leaders on crypto regulation, stablecoins, CBDCs, and adoption, praising the UAE and other small nations with strong governance for leading innovation.
For entrepreneurs, CZ stresses the importance of ethical conduct and long-term product development rather than chasing short-term profits. He encourages building products that deliver real value by aligning passion with market demand. Looking ahead, CZ plans to mentor emerging founders and support early-stage projects through his investment firm, EZ Labs, offering both capital and strategic guidance.