Binance founder Changpeng Zhao returned to the cryptocurrency stage at Dubai Binance Blockchain Week. This was his first public appearance since being released from a US prison last month, where he addressed a packed audience.
Zhao, who was sentenced to four months in prison for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, received a standing ovation as soon as he stepped onto the stage, with many in the audience capturing the moment on their phones.
The Dubai event attracted over 4,000 attendees, with an additional 10,000 people watching online. Zhao's return and his insights into the future of cryptocurrency drew significant attention.
The conference started in a relaxed atmosphere, with Altcoin Daily founder Austin Arnold asking, "How was your summer?" Zhao's response turned serious as he reflected on how prison life had impacted him, describing it as a restrictive experience that gave him "a lot of time to reflect."
Despite his release, Zhao stated that he has no plans to return to running a cryptocurrency exchange, noting the stress and complexity of the sentencing process. He mentioned that he was the first person to be jailed for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, a unique outcome compared to recent settlements with financial institutions that did not involve personal charges.
In his speech, Zhao discussed the changing political climate in the US, with both presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris now openly discussing cryptocurrencies during their campaigns. Recalling his time in prison, Zhao joked, "I was just sitting in jail, thinking, 'What happened? What if I had waited two more months?'"
Looking ahead, Zhao shared his vision for Giggly Academy, an educational platform he launched last year aimed at serving underprivileged communities globally, particularly the 70 to 80 billion illiterate adults, including 30 to 50 billion children who lack access to formal education. "Educational projects usually target regions with existing educational systems," he said.
Besides education, Zhao is actively investing in fields like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and blockchain. Meanwhile, his successor, Binance CEO Richard Teng, has chosen "momentum" as the theme for the coming year, pointing out regulatory progress such as the approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs as a sign of positive growth in the industry.
