Changpeng CZ Zhao, founder of Binance, returns to the crypto world during an event in Dubai, after a conviction in the United States. During the occasion, CZ received a warm welcome and announced a new educational initiative, Giggle Academy.
Let’s see all the details in this article.
Crypto news: the founder of Binance Changpeng CZ Zhao receives an ovation in Dubai and launches a new educational initiative
The founder and former CEO of Binance, Changpeng Zhao, known in the crypto sector as “CZ”, recently reappeared in public during the Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai, receiving a warm welcome and an ovation from a standing-room-only crowd.
The return of Zhao has attracted the attention of thousands of enthusiasts and professionals in the sector, curious to hear his first statements after being released from a US prison.
Prison where he served a short sentence for violations related to the Bank Secrecy Act. The crowd, excited to see Zhao again, showed great support for the well-known entrepreneur, who took the opportunity to share new initiatives and reflections on his journey.
The Binance Blockchain Week took place at a delicate moment for Zhao and for the entire Binance ecosystem.
The conference, which saw the participation of about 4,000 people and over a million viewers streaming, represented the perfect platform for Zhao to share his experience and discuss his future plans.
During his appearance, the founder of Altcoin Daily, Austin Arnold, opened the session with an ironic question, asking Zhao how his “summer” went, a comment that made the room smile.
Zhao, initially amused, then explained that the detention was a difficult and restrictive experience, a moment that allowed him to reflect and evaluate his future.
“It is less fun than this event,” he said, with a note of sarcasm. Adding that prison has severely limited his freedom and that being away from family and friends has been particularly tough.
However, Zhao highlighted how the experience made him even more determined to pursue educational and global development projects.
Zhao’s Educational Initiative: Giggle Academy
One of the central themes of Zhao’s speech was the announcement of a new educational project called Giggle Academy.
This initiative, which had already been mentioned by Zhao before his detention, aims to improve access to education for people in disadvantaged areas.
Specifically with a particular focus on adult illiterates and children who do not have the opportunity to attend school.
“Today there are about 700-800 million illiterate adults, and two-thirds of them are women. Furthermore, it is estimated that 300-500 million children do not have access to education,” explained Zhao.
The objective of Giggle Academy is therefore to fill these gaps, offering digital resources accessible to those who cannot access traditional forms of education.
In a sector where education is often reserved for those who already have resources, Giggle Academy represents a breath of fresh air, with a focus on those who remain on the margins of the educational system.
In addition to his new educational initiative, Zhao stated that he wants to diversify his investments, focusing on sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and blockchain.
Even after leaving the role of CEO of Binance, Zhao reiterated his interest in technology and innovation, demonstrating that his commitment to the crypto and technological sector remains unchanged.
With an eye towards the future, Zhao specified that he has no intention of returning to lead a cryptocurrency exchange, at least in the short term.
Rather, it intends to contribute to the development of the sector through strategic investments and support for innovative projects.
During his detention, Zhao followed with interest the evolution of the debate on cryptocurrencies in the United States.
In particular, it was observed how prominent political figures, including former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, have started to talk about crypto in their respective election campaigns.
Richard Teng and the future of Binance
Richard Teng, the current CEO of Binance and successor to Zhao, attended the conference and played a central role during the first day of the event.
Teng, highly appreciated by the participants, discussed the growth and development prospects for Binance, emphasizing that the main theme for the next year will be the “momentum” in the bull and bear cryptocurrency sector.
In particular, Teng spoke about the recent approvals of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF) in the United States. These represent a significant step forward for the sector and an opportunity to increase investor confidence and participation.
Binance, under the leadership of Teng, seems to want to continue its global expansion, despite the regulatory challenges encountered in various countries.
Teng emphasized how the platform continues to commit to making cryptocurrency trading safe and accessible. Thus maintaining a constant momentum towards innovation and mainstream adoption.
In any case, Changpeng Zhao is a key figure for the cryptocurrency community. Consequently, his return has reignited the debate on the challenges and opportunities that the sector must face.
With his new educational project and a diversified investment strategy, Zhao seems to want to contribute to the crypto world indirectly. That is, focusing on projects that can improve the quality of life and create new opportunities.
His experience of detention and his reflections on the evolution of the sector reflect a vision of inclusive and conscious growth, based on the importance of education and accessibility.
Giggle Academy represents a first step towards the realization of this goal.
On the other hand, the continuous support of Binance to the crypto sector, under the guidance of Teng, ensures that Zhao’s legacy and his commitment to a broader and more diversified crypto ecosystem continue to live on.
Source: https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2024/10/31/changpeng-cz-zhao-after-being-released-from-prison-returns-to-the-crypto-scene-in-dubai-welcomed-by-an-enthusiastic-crowd/