Changpeng Zhao made his first public appearance after being released from prison
The founder and former CEO of Binance, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), participated in the Binance Blockchain Week conference in Dubai, where during his speech he touched on the conditions of his imprisonment.
He shared that after being released at the end of September, he focused on two things: education and investments in the fields of blockchain, AI, and life sciences.
CZ confirmed that his resignation as CEO of Binance was stipulated in an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, which was already publicly known. According to the terms of the deal reached in November 2023, there was no lifetime ban, only a three-year term.
In September 2024, the exchange permanently banned Zhao from management. The entrepreneur stated at the Binance Blockchain Week that he has no intention of returning to lead the company even if given the opportunity.
Regarding the conditions of his sentence, Zhao mentioned that the guards could be "slightly harsh," but there were no conflicts, insults, or physical violence. Some staff asked for advice on cryptocurrency investments, but in the absence of the internet, he could not help them, CZ added.
