On Friday, Changpeng Zhao—known to the world as “CZ”—will step back into freedom after serving a four-month sentence for failing to implement proper anti-money laundering controls at Binance, the cryptocurrency exchange he founded. For the first time in months, he’ll be able to walk the streets of Long Beach, California, without supervision. Since April, Zhao has been in federal custody after voluntarily returning from Dubai to face the charges. He spent two months in a minimum-security prison in the California desert before being transferred to a halfway house in Long Beach, where he was allowed supervised excursions, including trips to the movies.
Now, Zhao reenters society with a staggering personal fortune of approximately $60 billion, making him the 25th richest person in the world, and his legal troubles mostly behind him. Though he declined an interview request for the day of his release, and his lawyer similarly said Zhao had no desire to speak publicly, it’s easy to speculate about what his next steps might be.
When Zhao is released, a couple of days ahead of schedule due to his official release date falling on a weekend, he’ll likely be whisked away by chauffeured car to a private jet. His probable destination? Dubai or Paris, where his children live with their mother, He Ye, a top executive at Binance and Zhao’s former partner.
Zhao has previously reflected on his relationship with his late father, a brilliant but distant man, and expressed concerns about inheriting those traits. After prison, it’s plausible he will dedicate more time to reconnecting with his family, including his son, sister, and mother, all of whom supported him during his sentencing.
Family endorsements were a significant factor in persuading the judge to issue what some viewed as a lenient sentence. Zhao’s commitment to philanthropy, which the judge described as “extraordinary,” also played a part.
One of the most notable examples of Zhao’s charitable vision is the Giggle Academy project, an initiative aimed at providing free, engaging educational tools for underprivileged children worldwide. During his sentencing, Zhao shared, “For the next chapter of my life, I want to provide opportunities for others, namely our youth.” However, the project appears to be in its infancy—little more than a website with a handful of job postings. Still, given Zhao’s recent imprisonment, it’s likely more details will unfold soon.
In addition to philanthropy and family, Zhao’s attention will likely turn back to the cryptocurrency world, the industry that catapulted him to unimaginable wealth. However, his involvement in Binance, the company he founded and led, will be limited due to the terms of his criminal settlement. He is required to step down as CEO and refrain from participating in the company’s daily operations. Furthermore, Binance is now subject to oversight by two external monitors appointed by the U.S. government to ensure compliance.
That said, Binance has largely withdrawn from the U.S. market, focusing on Asia and offshore regions. Despite Zhao’s departure from day-to-day activities, his role as Binance’s largest shareholder still affords him significant influence over the company’s future.
In response to Zhao’s release, a Binance spokesperson expressed their support: “We are delighted that CZ will be home with his family. While he is not managing or operating Binance, we are excited to see what he does next. Since last year, Binance has continued to thrive under the leadership of our current team, surpassing 229 million users globally.”
At just 47 years old, Zhao is still in the prime of his career, an age when many CEOs are just stepping into their first major leadership roles. Whether through philanthropy, crypto, or some other venture, it’s clear CZ’s second act is just beginning. His influence in the worlds of finance and tech will likely be felt for years to come.
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