Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as "CZ," is set to walk free on Friday after serving a four-month sentence for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering measures at Binance. Since April, CZ has been in federal custody, spending two months in a minimum-security prison in the California desert before moving to a halfway house in Long Beach. There, he had some freedom to make supervised outings, including trips to the movies.

Upon his release, Zhao will return to society with a fortune estimated at $60 billion, ranking him as the 25th wealthiest person globally. Although he hasn't commented on his post-release plans, it's expected he'll head to either Dubai or Paris, where his children live with their mother, He Ye, a Binance executive and Zhao's former partner. Zhao has expressed concerns about inheriting his late father's distant nature and may focus more on family after his prison time, especially with the support they provided during his sentencing.

The judge granted Zhao a relatively lenient five-month sentence, partly due to the testimony of his family and his significant philanthropic efforts. One of his key projects is Giggle Academy, which aims to offer free educational tools to underprivileged children worldwide. While the initiative is currently in its early stages with little concrete progress, it may become more active now that Zhao's legal troubles are behind him.

In addition to family and philanthropy, Zhao may revisit the cryptocurrency industry that made him incredibly wealthy. Although the terms of his settlement require him to step down as Binance's CEO and avoid involvement in day-to-day operations, Binance no longer operates in the U.S. and focuses on Asian and offshore markets. Zhao remains the company's largest shareholder, giving him substantial influence over its future direction.

A Binance spokesperson expressed excitement about Zhao's return, stating that while he's no longer managing the company, they are eager to see his next move. Despite his age—47, often considered the prime of an executive’s career—Zhao appears poised for a second chapter, with his influence likely to continue shaping the crypto industry and business world for years to come.