Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance, plans to remain distant from the exchange’s corporate operations this year as well. The crypto mogul shared insights into what 2026 could look like for him, and the overall crypto sector, during an interview with CNBC.
“I don’t think it’s good for me to go back. I think we should leave room for other strong leaders to grow,” CZ said in the interview in Davos along the sidelines of the World Economic Forum conference.
CZ founded Binance in July 2017 after raising $15 million via an initial coin offering. The exchange was launched with CZ as its CEO. In 2023, however, the 48-year-old had to step down from his role after he pled guilty to charges including breach of a U.S. banking law.
At the time, Binance was levied a federal fine of $4.3 billion. CZ, meanwhile, not only shelled out $50 million in penalty charges form his own pocket — but also spent four months in prison that concluded in April 2024. Resigning from the Binance CEO post was part of CZ’s plea deal.
Time and again, CZ has spoken about feeling anxious and emotional especially during his prison timeline.
“At the time, it was very painful. I didn’t like it. But after, you get used to it,” CZ noted, reiterating that he has no plans of coming back to the exchange.
Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump granted a Presidential pardon to CZ. Following this, speculations of CZ’s potential return to the exchange had started to make the rounds in the market.
While on paper CZ is no longer an active part of Binance’s corporate operations, he still remains the majority shareholder of the company with 90 percent control of the exchange. His net worth is estimated to be around $80 billion.
During the Binance Blockchain Week in 2025, the exchange announced changes to its leadership. CZ’s successor to the CEO position, Richard Teng announced Yi He as his Co-CEO. He had co-founded Binance alongside CZ and had been focusing on growing Binance’s investment arm that now goes by the name YZi Labs (previously Binance Labs).
CZ, meanwhile, has started playing crypto advisor to multiple nations including Pakistan, helping them finalize their crypto roadmaps. In addition, he is also working on Giggle Academy — an educational platform free for access internationally.