Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the co-founder and former CEO of Binance, is optimistic about the future of global crypto regulations ahead of the upcoming United States presidential election.

Cryptocurrency regulations are heading in a promising direction worldwide, Zhao said during his first public speech since his release from prison in the US.

During an Oct. 31 fireside chat at Binance Blockchain Week, CZ said:

“Overall [cryptocurrency regulation] is actually moving in a very positive direction… By June, Donald Trump is pro-crypto. By the end of June, both parties are pro-crypto. I’m still sitting in prison, like what the hell happened?”

Zhao indicated that shifting views on cryptocurrency suggest growing public demand for digital assets but declined to speculate on the potential outcome of the presidential election.

Binance founder, Changpeng Zhao, fireside chat. Source: Binance

The former CEO of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange was released from federal prison on Sept. 27,  after serving a four-month stint for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) violations, a spokesperson for the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons told Cointelegraph.

Zhao’s comments come days ahead of the Nov. 5 US presidential elections, which is making crypto a political focal point for the first time in history.

This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.