Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, the founder of Binance, confirmed he will remain distant from the cryptocurrency exchange’s corporate operations in 2026. He shared his plans during an interview with CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“I do not think it is good for me to go back. I think we should leave room for other strong leaders to grow,” CZ said in the interview. His comments have quieted market speculation about a possible return to Binance leadership.
CZ founded Binance in July 2017 after raising $15 million through an initial coin offering. He led the company as its CEO for several years. Under his tenure, Binance became the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume.
Stepping Down After Legal Challenges
In 2023, CZ stepped down as CEO of Binance as part of a plea deal with U.S. authorities. He pleaded guilty to charges that included violating a U.S. banking law. Binance agreed to pay a federal fine of $4.3 billion. CZ personally paid a $50 million penalty and served four months in prison. He was released in April 2024.
During the CNBC interview, CZ spoke openly about his experience. “At the time, it was very painful. I did not like it. But after, you get used to it,” he said, referring to his prison sentence. He reiterated that he does not plan to return to Binance’s day-to-day leadership.
Pardon and Market Speculation
In 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump granted CZ a Presidential pardon. The move triggered market speculation that CZ might return to a leadership role at Binance. However, with his recent statements, those expectations have been tempered.
Current Role and Influence
Although CZ is not active in Binance’s corporate operations, he remains the majority shareholder, controlling an estimated 90 percent of the company. His personal net worth is estimated at around $80 billion, making him one of the wealthiest figures in the crypto industry.
At Binance Blockchain Week 2025, the exchange confirmed changes in leadership. Richard Teng, who succeeded CZ as CEO, announced that Yi He has been appointed Co-CEO. Yi He co-founded Binance alongside CZ and previously focused on Binance’s investment arm, now renamed YZi Labs.
New Focus: Advisory and Education
CZ has shifted his focus toward advisory roles and education in the crypto sector. He is advising several countries, including Pakistan, on national crypto frameworks and regulatory roadmaps. These advisory roles signal his ongoing influence in shaping global crypto policy.
In addition, CZ is working on Giggle Academy, an online educational platform. The platform is designed to offer free access to crypto and blockchain education worldwide. The move reflects CZ’s broader interest in promoting crypto literacy and long-term industry growth.
What This Means for Binance and the Crypto Sector
CZ’s decision to stay away from Binance’s corporate operations may reassure investors who have been concerned about leadership uncertainty. It also places greater responsibility on the exchange’s current management to maintain regulatory compliance and market growth.
Analysts say the market will be watching Binance’s strategic direction, especially in areas such as regulatory engagement, trading product expansion, and institutional adoption. Binance operates in dozens of countries and plays a central role in global crypto trading. Its ability to navigate evolving compliance standards will be key to its continued dominance.
For the broader crypto market, CZ’s pivot toward advisory and education could boost efforts to standardize regulatory frameworks and improve investor understanding. It may also help emerging markets develop clearer approaches to digital assets.
