CZ Confirms Interest In Selling Binance 90% Stake: Key Takeaways From His Latest Interview

As a long-time investor in Binance and a follower of CZ’s journey, I find myself both intrigued and moved by his recent return. His story is one of resilience, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of success that has captivated the crypto community for years.


Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the billionaire founder of Binance, made his return to the public eye at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, after his recent release from Federal Correctional Institution Lompoc II, where he served four months for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering (AML) measures at Binance.

Strong Emotional Ties To Binance’s Future

In the midst of enthusiastic crowds, some hailed him as a “martyr,” while others exclaimed, “the king has returned.” Yet, contrary to the jubilant welcome, Zhao will not be resuming his leadership at Binance, as his agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) prevents him from regaining control.

In a conversation with Bloomberg, CZ expressed his doubts about returning as Binance’s CEO. He has been at the helm for seven years and cherished the experience, though it was demanding. However, he seems to feel that this particular phase of his career might be coming to an end.

While serving his sentence, Zhao spent his time exercising, writing a book, and engaging in discussions about cryptocurrency with other inmates. Identifying himself as a “passive investor” in the crypto world, he has encountered offers to sell his majority share in Binance, which represents a substantial part of his wealth.

According to Bloomberg, Changpeng Zhao is willing to listen to potential offers regarding his stake, but hasn’t made a decision on it yet. Currently, he holds approximately 90% of the shares in the exchange.

Zhao’s step down from active management happened around the same time Binance consented to pay $4.3 billion for infractions involving US sanctions. Since then, the company has been running under the guidance of the new CEO, Richard Teng. He’s established a fresh board of directors with the aim of maintaining global regulatory compliance moving forward.

During the interview, it was revealed that Bloomberg found Zhao’s ties with Binance to be robust, a fact indicated by his ongoing influence despite taking a step back from daily management. His substantial ownership stake ensures his involvement in the company’s future, and he openly acknowledges a personal connection or affection towards Binance.

AI And Biotech Investments While Maintaining Ties To Crypto

After Donald Trump’s win in the latest U.S. election, there has been a significant change in the American political climate, which has benefited cryptocurrency prices. Additionally, the return of Zhao has seen his net worth skyrocket to approximately $53 billion.

From my perspective as a researcher in this field, the prospect of a pro-cryptocurrency administration returning under President Trump is viewed as a significant advantage for our industry. This shift comes after several years of intense regulatory oversight under President Biden’s administration and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which has been particularly scrutinizing.

Nevertheless, Zhao maintains a positive outlook regarding Binance and the overall crypto market. He’s pleased with recent advancements at X (previously Twitter), where Binance had previously invested $500 million during Elon Musk’s acquisition. Zhao emphasized that the speed of innovation has picked up significantly since Musk took charge.

Currently reunited with his family, Zhao is venturing into fresh opportunities beyond the realm of cryptocurrency. He’s contemplating investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and biotech, and intends to debut an educational app for nonprofits called Giggle Academy. Despite his separation from Binance, CZ continues to be a joint defendant in several civil lawsuits, with the SEC being one of the instigators.

In contemplation, Zhao sees his bond with Binance as similar to a parent observing their child becoming self-reliant. Although he has no desire to regain the CEO position, he recognizes the enduring link he shares with the company he founded. Essentially, he remarks, “Just like a grown child, it doesn’t have to be tethered to me anymore.

CZ Confirms Interest In Selling Binance 90% Stake: Key Takeaways From His Latest Interview

In your writing, Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the exchange – is currently being traded at around $599, and it has seen a 2.5% increase over the past 24 hours.

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2024-11-07 21:27