Changpeng Zhao recently held an extensive AMA to discuss his new memoir, Freedom of Money. During the session, CZ addressed the most pressing question regarding his future: whether he intends to build a new company from the ground up. He confirmed that he is currently “really happy” with his position as an advisor and passive investor, stating he has no plans to start another company at this stage.
Instead, CZ has pivoted his intellectual and financial resources toward artificial intelligence and robotics. Through YZi Labs, he has already executed numerous investments across the AI and blockchain sectors. While he did not entirely rule out a return to the founder role in the distant future, he emphasized that the physical and mental toll of starting a company is a “grind” he is not currently looking to repeat.
Lessons in Resilience and Strategic Direction
A central theme of the AMA and his book is the concept of resilience during “rock bottom” moments. CZ shared a personal philosophy that has guided him since before the inception of Binance: the importance of continuous movement. He cautioned that while staying active is vital, one must constantly audit their direction to ensure they are not working hard toward a dead end.
For founders navigating the current market, CZ identified two primary signals he uses to judge a project’s long-term viability: GitHub activity and the ability to survive multiple market cycles. He noted that marketing hype often fades long before technical development, making active code contributions a more reliable indicator of a project’s “pulse.” He also expressed a preference for mission-driven founders who continue to build during bear markets, rather than those chasing short-term trends.
CZ also reflected on the intensity of the early days at Binance, revealing that the “overnight success” narrative ignores years of around-the-clock commitment. He described a culture where the team literally slept in the office to manage a 24/7 global exchange, a level of sacrifice he believes outsiders often underestimate.
The Future of Web3 and AI Integration
Addressing concerns that the “golden age” of crypto opportunity has passed with the arrival of institutional capital and ETFs, CZ remained staunchly bullish. He argued that blockchain adoption is still in its “early innings,” particularly in sectors like foreign exchange, commodities, and cross-border settlements. He suggested that the next major growth phase will likely involve the intersection of AI and blockchain.
CZ envisions a future where AI agents utilize blockchain infrastructure for instant, cross-border transactions and global coordination. In his view, the migration of AI toward on-chain solutions will create a new set of opportunities that are even larger than those available during the early days of the internet. He encouraged young people to focus on building a single core skill—whether in engineering or business—and to avoid the “drain” of short-term entertainment.
Ultimately, CZ described the process of writing Freedom of Money as a form of personal closure. By documenting his journey, including his legal challenges and time in prison, he aimed to provide a more authentic narrative of his life and the evolution of the crypto industry. He concluded that the industry’s greatest advantage today is not capital, but the dedication of “real builders” who remain focused on the technology after the speculative hype has moved on to other sectors.
