Binance’s CZ Makes First Public Appearance at Dubai Conference Since Prison Release

Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao received a standing ovation from a packed audience at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai.

This is his first public appearance since completing a four-month prison sentence. The event, which drew 4,000 attendees and one million online viewers, highlighted Zhao’s continued influence in the cryptocurrency industry.

CZ shares post-prison reflections

During the conference session, Zhao, widely known as CZ, addressed his prison experience and future endeavors.

While acknowledging limitations in discussing his plea agreement regarding Bank Secrecy Act violations, he noted being the first individual imprisoned for such charges, contrasting with institutional settlements like TD Bank’s recent case.

The former CEO revealed plans to focus on Giggle Academy, an educational initiative targeting global literacy challenges.

The platform aims to serve approximately 700-800 million illiterate adults and 300-500 million children without school access. Zhao also indicated interest in investment opportunities across artificial intelligence, biotech, and blockchain sectors.

CZ expressed surprise at recent cryptocurrency developments during his incarceration, particularly noting increased crypto discussions by presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. He explicitly stated no intentions to operate another cryptocurrency exchange.

The conference, themed around “momentum” in the crypto industry, also featured current Binance CEO Richard Teng, who emphasized recent achievements including U.S. spot bitcoin ETF approvals.

Teng engaged with attendees throughout the event, demonstrating Binance’s continued community engagement despite recent leadership changes.

The enthusiastic reception of Zhao’s appearance suggests sustained industry support despite his legal challenges, while his focus on educational initiatives indicates a shift from direct exchange operations to broader technology and social impact projects.