Binance founder Changpeng Zhao shared some bold predictions on Tuesday about the future of the digital asset industry. Despite legal setbacks, Zhao remains one of the most influential voices in crypto, now offering insights into four sectors he believes will drive the next wave of growth.
In a recent statement, CZ forecasted that the total crypto market capitalization could reach $5 trillion by the end of 2025, with Bitcoin alone potentially hitting between $500,000 and $1 million. His outlook is driven by rising institutional demand, especially following the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs. “As institutional adoption continues, we’re likely to see a parabolic increase in demand,” Zhao said.
During an interview with Rug Radio published on May 5, Zhao emphasized the growing influence of institutional investors in the cryptocurrency market and the impact of Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
“There’s the ETFs. There’s this institutionalization of Bitcoin [ … ] it’s a positive in terms of price action, obviously. Our bags are up — not the alt‑coins as much, but at least Bitcoin is,” Zhao said.
He added: “ETFs are bringing the traditional institution money into crypto, and most of the money in the US is institutional money. Bitcoin is going up because most of the ETFs are Bitcoin-based.”
As his latest predictions spark renewed interest in the future of digital finance, it’s an ideal moment to take a closer look at the man behind the vision—Changpeng Zhao.
Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, is the founder and former CEO of Binance. A Chinese-Canadian coder and entrepreneur, Zhao has shaped the global crypto landscape since founding Binance in 2017.
Zhao built his early career in finance technology, developing high-frequency trading systems for Wall Street firms. He began his crypto journey in 2013 after reading the Bitcoin white paper, eventually founding Binance just four years later. Within months, the platform rose to dominate the global exchange market and now offers trading in over 360 cryptocurrencies, serving more than 150 million users.
Despite Binance’s success, Zhao’s career has faced regulatory scrutiny. In November 2023, he stepped down as CEO as part of a settlement with U.S. authorities after pleading guilty to anti-money laundering violations. He was sentenced to four months in prison in April 2024.
Zhao retains an estimated 90% ownership of Binance and has a significant stake in Binance.US, though the latter’s value plummeted after regulatory action. His wealth, largely tied to Binance’s performance, saw a substantial rebound in 2024 with the company’s reported $9.8 billion in revenue. He also holds undisclosed amounts of Bitcoin and Binance Coin (BNB).
Background and Education
- Born: Jiangsu, China, 1977
- Education: Bachelor’s in Computer Science, McGill University, Montreal
- Nationality: Chinese-Canadian
Zhao moved to Canada in the late 1980s after his father, an academic, accepted a position at the University of British Columbia. He began coding as a teenager and later worked for Bloomberg Tradebook in New York, followed by high-frequency trading firm Fusion Systems in Shanghai. His interest in crypto was sparked at a poker game in 2013, which led him to Blockchain.info and eventually to founding Binance.
Despite regulatory hurdles, Changpeng Zhao remains a central figure in crypto’s evolution. His latest insights reinforce his status as a visionary, emphasizing real-world adoption, innovation, and a belief that crypto’s next chapter is just beginning.
