CZ is back? Not entirely.
After stepping down as CEO of Binance, CZ made a rare appearance at the recent BNB Chain annual AMA. Without the CEO title, he spoke more openly.
There was a lot of information regarding 2026, AI payments, and his current "free" life.
I have summarized 7 core insights, with the last one being particularly poignant for entrepreneurs.
1. About Retirement Life: Freedom is the Greatest Luxury
CZ candidly expressed that his biggest feeling now is freedom. Although retired, he hasn't stopped working. He is far from idle, focusing his energy on four main areas:
- Giggle Academy: A completely free education platform, which is now his pet project.
- YZi Labs: Acting as a mentor and coach, helping entrepreneurs avoid pitfalls (not just providing funding).
- BNB Chain: While not involved in technical details, he still oversees the overall direction.
- Government Advisor: This is quite interesting; he is helping a dozen countries, including those in the Middle East and Pakistan, design regulatory frameworks. This occupies a significant portion of his time.
CZ also mentioned that he maintains a regular lifestyle, insisting on about 30-40 minutes of exercise daily and trying more outdoor activities.
From building a kingdom to setting rules, this transition is very steady.
2. The Invisible Growth of BNB Chain
Many people feel that BNB Chain is no longer attractive? The data might contradict that:
- Trading volume has increased by 600% year-on-year.
- Daily active users (DAU) have surpassed 2 million.
- Even with CZ stepping back, the number of Binance users has still exceeded 300 million.
The ecosystem of BNB is like the total value of Nasdaq-listed companies far exceeding that of the Nasdaq exchange itself.
Despite significant growth in the crypto market, the penetration rate of crypto assets globally is still less than 1%, indicating several orders of magnitude of growth potential in the future.
CZ's summary of the past is very insightful: it's like boxing in a marathon. One needs both the endurance of a long-distance runner and the high-frequency combat ability. This is much harder than simply chasing short-term rankings. (3/9)
3. Prediction Markets: A Blooming Landscape, Not a Horse Race Mechanism
Recently, prediction markets have become very popular (PolyMarket hit big during the U.S. elections). Many competitors have also emerged on BNB Chain. CZ's attitude is: no internal competition or horse racing. Labs will not bet on just one, but will allow the market to compete naturally. It's too early to talk about who the winner is; growing the pie is the hard truth.
4. Stablecoin 2.0: Yield is Key
If stablecoins do not earn interest, they are products of the 1.0 era (like Tether). CZ believes the core of stablecoin 2.0 is: earning interest + transaction convenience. Models like Ethena (USDe), which can earn yields while being liquid, are the future. With compliance coming into play, stablecoins will see more opportunities, ultimately determined by users and the market.
5. AI + Crypto: The Most Certain Alpha
This point is very important! CZ believes AI Agents will be the largest user group for crypto payments. The logic is simple: robots cannot open bank accounts, pass KYC, or swipe credit cards. Crypto is the only economic interaction method for AI. There are huge opportunities in on-chain payment networks designed specifically for AI.
6. RWA: National-Level Entry
When we talk about RWA (Real World Assets on-chain), CZ is already in discussions with heads of state. Many resource-rich countries (oil, rare earths) may have money but lack liquidity. The tokenization of national resources is becoming a serious topic. This is not just about financing; it's about activating the liquidity of national-level assets. The narrative level of this track has changed. (7/9)
7. Advice for Entrepreneurs: Don't Be a Speculator
CZ's current investment standard is only one: Mission-driven.
Want to make 10 million and run? ❌ He no longer values such people.
Switching fields every few months? ❌ Lacks determination.
For tech experts wanting to change careers, his advice is practical: first, become top-notch in technology, then work on emotional intelligence (EQ). Because the essence of business ultimately revolves around interpersonal networks. (8/9)
Summary: Crossing Cycles
Listening to the entire AMA, it feels like CZ has changed, becoming more transcendent and more focused on the macro picture.
As he said, whether it's AI or SocialFi, regardless of who is first now, Keep Building is the only path to cross cycles. Nvidia sat on the sidelines for 40 years before exploding; why rush?
2026 belongs to the long-distance runners.
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