In his first interview since his release, CZ shared his insights into his challenging time inside an American prison. He admitted that building relationships was vital for survival in such an environment, as isolation could make everything much harder. His story reveals that even in the toughest circumstances, meaningful friendships can be found. Interestingly, some prison guards recognized him as a well-known figure in the cryptocurrency world and even asked for his advice. However, CZ explained that he had no access to market information or network resources while inside.
Despite the hardships, CZ managed to form friendships with other inmates, many of whom had been sentenced for minor offenses yet remained friendly and approachable. One inmate who left a deep impression on him was Michael—a man who had spent over two decades in prison for a minor cannabis offense, something that is now legal. Admirably, during his time in prison, Michael had pursued education and personal growth, even earning a college degree and maintaining a thirst for knowledge. This resilience left CZ inspired.
CZ also highlighted the technological limitations he faced in prison, such as restricted computer access with only short 15-minute sessions and lacking basic features like copy-paste. This meant even small edits required retyping entire passages, adding to the difficulty and time consumption. These challenges made CZ respect his fellow inmates’ dedication to pursuing education and personal development even more.
Looking back, CZ felt he learned invaluable lessons from this experience. He not only felt fortunate to have avoided physical harm but also learned to appreciate simple things and connect with the people he met in such a harsh environment.