š„š„Richard Teng: CZ is irreplaceable; Binance now led by 7-member board
In a recent Bankless podcast, Binance CEO #RichardTeng underscored the irreplaceable role of his predecessor, Changpeng Zhao (CZ). āNo one can replace CZ,ā Teng asserted. āI am not here to replace CZ.ā
He also described CZ as a āglobal leader, a visionary, and so unique,ā highlighting CZās distinctive ability to foresee and shape the future of the cryptocurrency industry. CZās role has been pivotal to Binanceās success.
Teng noted that CZ brought Binance from zero to what it is today, revealing his critical role in transforming Binance from a startup into a leading global cryptocurrency exchange. He said the former CEO had built the foundation for Binance to build on going forward.
CZ announced his resignation in a post on X on November 21, 2023, stating that it was not an easy decision emotionally, but he knew it was the right thing to do. He acknowledged making mistakes and taking responsibility for them. He added that the change is best for Binanceās community.
Zhao was replaced as Binanceās new CEO by Richard Teng, who previously served as Binanceās Global Head of Regional Markets. Teng has over thirty years of experience in the financial services industry and regulatory roles, including positions at the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the Singapore Exchange (SGX), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
The future of Binance and the industry
On the podcast, the CEO highlighted the significant transformations Binance has undergone since its inception. He noted that compliance and regulatory measures have become much more stringent compared to the companyās early days, acknowledging the many changes over time.
He also revealed that Binanceās corporate structure has evolved. While CZ once made decisions as the sole CEO, a seven-member board of directors now governs the companyās direction.
He added that Binance will continue to focus on developing better products to serve its customers and improve its operations.
