Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) revealed the days he spent in prison for the first time to Bloomberg.
In an interview with Bloomberg, CZ stated that initially no one in prison recognized him, but eventually everyone knew he was a cryptocurrency billionaire.
He revealed that many inmates and guards asked him which coin to buy. However, being incarcerated prevented him from knowing how the market was performing.
Changpeng Zhao resigned as CEO of Binance – the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world – and pleaded guilty to money laundering in 2023.
He was released from prison in September after four months of detention in a California prison (USA) as the wealthiest inmate in U.S. history.
Binance also reached an agreement with federal authorities to pay a fine of $4.3 billion.
The developments in the cryptocurrency market are not the only thing Zhao was in the dark about while sitting behind bars.
Sharing with Bloomberg, he said he is on a strict diet but in prison, the food is heavy on carbohydrates, sugar, and low in protein.
"I usually eat bland food, just protein and vegetables. This was impossible there," he said.
He spent his time in prison exercising and writing a book. Additionally, one of CZ's closest inmates is a bank robber serving a 25-year sentence and is also knowledgeable about cryptocurrency. Zhao said he is looking for ways to help his friend reduce his sentence.
Regarding Binance's future plans, CZ said he will explore investments in AI and biotechnology. His assets surged when Donald Trump was elected President of the United States, reaching nearly $53 billion.
(According to Insider)
