Itās been 3 years since I left Binance, but I often catch myself wondering:
"What would CZ do?" š¤
In this post, I reflect on CZās leadership, Binanceās unique culture, and why "Binancers" are so effectiveāboth in and outside the crypto world. Hereās my story:
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š”ļø Principles Over Profits: The 90-Day Rule
One of Binanceās iron rules? Employees canāt trade tokens for 90 days.
This wasnāt just a policyāit was a philosophy. CZ once explained at a meeting:
"If you want to trade, go trade professionally. If you work here, focus on creating value, not competing with users for profits."
Even top performers who broke this rule were let goāno exceptions.
Binanceās code of conduct puts users first, employees second. And if the interests of the exchange ever conflicted with user trust? Users always win.
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š” CZ's Wisdom: What You Donāt Make Money From Matters Most
At one team dinner, we were talking about how many people get caught up in the temptation of quick profits in crypto. CZ's words that night stuck with me:
"As long as you stick to doing valuable things, the wealth will follow in the long run. People chasing fast money always lose."
This became my guiding principleānot only in Web3, but also in life. I understood the deeper meaning of "slow is fast": create value first, and everything else will follow.
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šÆ CZ: Calm, Rational, and Relentlessly Honest
CZ isnāt just a leaderāheās a decision-making machine.
Once, during an offline 1-on-1, CZ had severe back pain. Still, he lay on a yoga mat, laptop on his chest, and asked if I was okay with the arrangement. His attention to detail and respect left a lasting impression.
He also demanded brutal honesty. When I once complained about a colleague not supporting my work, CZās solution?
"Letās bring them into this group chat and talk it out openly."
No backroom politics. Just transparency and progress.
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ā” Why "Binancers" Thrive Everywhere
Ever wonder why ex-Binance employees excel in the industry?
Itās because of CZās radical culture of empowerment. Binance employees are trained to be "hexagonal players"āversatile, resilient, and driven to "Exchange the World."
Working with CZ wasnāt about chasing moneyāit was about changing the world. Employees often took pay cuts to join Binance, working beyond hours, not because they were forced, but because they believed in the mission.
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š¤ A Gentle and "Cruel" Decision-Maker
CZās leadership is a mix of gentleness and ruthlessness. Even with close friends, he follows the rules.
I remember once, a friend asked CZ for a VIP pass to an event. CZ came to me personally and asked if any were available. I said, "No, boss, theyāll have to buy a ticket." Without a second word, CZ respected the rulesājust like any other user.
His "cruelty"? Itās about not letting personal relationships cloud decisions. His "gentleness"? Respecting every employeeās work, trusting their judgment, and only stepping in if needed.
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š Why Binance Was More Than Just a Job
From 2018 to 2019, Binance expanded rapidlyā300 employees grew to 1,000 in just a year. Yet, CZ made sure anyoneāfrom interns to senior leadersācould reach him directly.
This culture of freedom and trust meant we could challenge each other openly. No micromanagement, no fearājust a shared belief that we were building something meaningful.
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š From Binance to the World
Looking back, Binance didnāt just shape my careerāit shaped me. Even now, I approach challenges thinking, "What would CZ do?" The values he instilledāintegrity, transparency, and long-term thinkingāguide my every decision.
At Binance, I learned: Success isnāt just about making money; itās about making an impact.
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š„ Whatās Next? Letās Keep Building.
The Binance spiritāof innovation, resilience, and user-first valuesāis something Iāll carry forever. As Binance faces new challenges, I believe CZ will continue to make the hard decisions that put users first.
Because at the end of the day, thatās the cultural core of Binance.
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"Exchange the World" isn't just a sloganāit's a way of life.
Thank you, Binance. And thank you, CZ. š
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š¬ Whatās the most valuable lesson youāve learned from Binance or CZ? Share in the comments below!