Is CZ back? Not exactly.
After stepping down as CEO of Binance, CZ made a rare appearance in the recent BNB Chain annual AMA. Without the CEO title, he actually spoke more freely.
About 2026, AI payments, and his current "free" life—there was a lot of information.
I've compiled 7 key insights; the last one is particularly poignant for entrepreneurs.
1. About Retirement Life: Freedom is the Ultimate Luxury
CZ直言现在最大的感受就是Free。虽已退休,但并未停止工作。一点也没闲着,精力主要分给了四件事:
- Giggle Academy: A completely free educational platform, which is now his pet project.
- YZi Labs: Acting as a coach and mentor, 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 interesting—he is helping over a dozen countries, including those in the Middle East and Pakistan, design regulatory frameworks. And it takes up a significant portion of his time.
CZ also mentioned that he still maintains a regular lifestyle, sticking to about 30-40 minutes of daily exercise and trying more outdoor activities.
From building an empire to setting the rules—this transition is solid.
2. The Stealth Growth of BNB Chain
Many think BNB Chain isn't exciting anymore? The data might surprise you:
- Transaction volume increased by 600% year-over-year.
- Daily Active Users (DAU) surpassed 2 million.
- Even with CZ stepping back, Binance's user base has exceeded 300 million.
The BNB ecosystem is like the total market cap of companies listed on NASDAQ far exceeding that of NASDAQ itself.
Despite significant growth in the crypto market, its share of global wealth penetration is still less than 1%, indicating potential for growth by several orders of magnitude.
CZ's summary of the past is spot-on: It's like boxing in a marathon. You need the endurance for the long run while maintaining high-frequency combat readiness. This is much harder than just chasing short-term rankings. (3/9)
3. Prediction Markets: A Blossoming Field, Not a Zero-Sum Game
Prediction markets have been hot lately (PolyMarket is killing it with the US election). Several competitors have emerged on BNB Chain. CZ's stance: No internal competition or horse races. Labs won't bet on just one; let the market compete naturally. It's too early to call a winner; growing the pie is what matters.
4. Stablecoin 2.0: Yield is King
If a stablecoin doesn't generate yield, it's a product of the 1.0 era (like Tether). CZ believes the core of Stablecoin 2.0 is: yield generation + transaction convenience. Models like Ethena (USDe), which offer both yield and liquidity, are the future. As compliance improves, stablecoins will see more opportunities, and ultimately, users and the market will decide the winner.
5. AI + Crypto: The Most Certain Alpha
This is crucial! CZ believes AI Agents will be the largest user group for crypto payments. The logic is simple: Robots can't open bank accounts, pass KYC, or use credit cards. Crypto is the only means of economic interaction for AI. Payment networks on-chain designed specifically for AI present huge opportunities.
6. RWA: Entry at the National Level
While we're talking about RWA (Real World Assets on-chain), CZ is already discussing it with heads of state. Many resource-rich countries (oil, rare earths) have wealth but lack liquidity. National resource tokenization is becoming a serious topic. This isn't just about fundraising; it's about activating liquidity for national-level assets. The narrative of this赛道 has changed. (7/9)
7. Advice for Entrepreneurs: Don't Be a Speculator
CZ's current investment criterion is only one: Mission-driven.
Want to make 10 million and run? ❌ He's not interested in such people now.
Switching tracks every few months? ❌ Lacks determination.
For technical experts looking 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 comes down to networking. (8/9)
Summary: Navigating Cycles
Listening to the entire AMA, it feels like CZ has changed—more detached, more macro-focused.
As he said, whether it's AI or SocialFi, no matter who is number one now, Keep Building is the only way to navigate cycles. Nvidia waited 40 years in the shadows before exploding; what's your hurry?
2026 belongs to long-distance runners.
