Key facts
- Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) believes the U.S. can become the 'capital of crypto'.
- CZ aims to leverage Binance Global's liquidity to strengthen Binance.US.
- He cited investor shifts to AI, geopolitical events, and market cycles as causes for the 2026 crypto bear market.
- CZ stated he does not wish to run a crypto exchange again, preferring an advisory role.
- U.S. legislative efforts regarding crypto are ongoing, with a tight deadline for Senate action.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, has expressed his vision for the United States to become the global 'capital of crypto.' In recent interviews with CoinDesk, CZ, who served four months in prison in 2024 for Bank Secrecy Act violations, shared his perspectives on the industry and his future activities.
CZ identified several factors contributing to the 2026 crypto bear market, including a shift in investor focus towards artificial intelligence, geopolitical instability, and the typical four-year market cycle. He articulated his strategic goals for Binance.US, the U.S. arm of the exchange he majority owns. His plan involves tapping into the liquidity of Binance Global, the international exchange he also majority owns, to bolster the U.S. market.
Despite his past legal issues, CZ believes his guilty plea has not significantly damaged his reputation. He indicated a preference for operating as an informal advisor to his investment portfolio companies rather than returning to the daily management of a crypto exchange.
Meanwhile, legislative efforts in the U.S. Senate concerning crypto are progressing with a narrowing window for action. Lawmakers recently passed a housing bill that included a temporary prohibition on the Federal Reserve issuing a central bank digital currency. The reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act remains a key priority, alongside upcoming work on the annual farm bill and National Defense Authorization Act.