Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, the founder and former CEO of Binance, has definitively confirmed he will not return to lead the cryptocurrency exchange, despite receiving a U.S. presidential pardon in October 2025 that removed legal restrictions from his 2023 guilty plea. Zhao clarified his position in a television interview on January 25, 2026, stating that a return "would not add value" and that stepping aside has allowed the company to evolve under new leadership.
Zhao, who served a four-month prison sentence and accepted a ban from operating Binance, now considers that chapter closed. He has shifted his focus entirely to passive investment, mentorship, and advisory roles. He retains a significant stake in Binance but plays no operational role, leaving daily strategy and decisions to the current dual leadership of CEO Richard Teng and co-founder Yi He.
Despite the leadership transition, Binance reports continued strong growth, having surpassed 300 million registered users worldwide and processed approximately $34 trillion in annual trading volume. The company's performance underscores its sustained market dominance post-Zhao.
In his public commentary, Zhao remains intensely bullish on Bitcoin's long-term trajectory. He predicts a potential "Super-Cycle" for Bitcoin by 2026, suggesting a break from the asset's historical four-year halving cycles. Zhao believes this new cycle will be driven by catalysts like regulatory adaptations and broader global institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies.
The news comes amid a mixed market backdrop. While gold broke above $5,000 per ounce, cryptocurrency markets faced pressure. Bitcoin fell 1% to trade near $87,818, remaining over 30% below its all-time high. Ethereum declined 1.8% to $2,887, and Solana slid 3.32% to $122.35. The total crypto market capitalization dropped 1.06% to $2.97 trillion.
