CZ Reflects on His Time in Prison During First Public Appearance Since Release

Binance co-founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, spoke about his experience in prison during his first public appearance since his release from prison during the Binance Blockchain Week Dubai 2024. As he recounted his experience to Altcoin Daily’s co-founder and host Austin Arnold, he emphasized that human connection holds greater value than anything else.

CZ served four months in prison after pleading guilty to violating U.S. money laundering laws.

In candid remarks, CZ revealed insights he has gained during his incarceration, noting that his time behind bars allowed him to contemplate the significance of human relationships.

“… when everything is taken away from you, what do you miss the most? What I found is actually it’s the human connection that I miss the most. I missed my kids, my family, my friends, my colleagues and the [Binance] community,” he shared.

In response to whether he felt his sentence was fair, CZ described the matter as very “subjective” and acknowledged the difficult position of the judge. He remarked that he accepted the plea agreement he was offered and does not intend to say anything negative about it. CZ acknowledged that one perspective might view the four-month incarceration as too lenient, whereas the opposing side could perceive it as severe.

In a matter-of-fact tone, he briefly discussed the violation he was charged with and pointed out that no one else in American history has been incarcerated for the same offense.

CZ Binance: "I'm the only one who went to jail for this in US history." pic.twitter.com/YOX9ckYC3H
— Altcoin Daily (@AltcoinDailyio) November 1, 2024

Light Moments Behind Bars

In a playful anecdote, CZ revealed that some prison guards at the California correctional facility sought his advice on cryptocurrency investments. They specifically inquired about which coins they should purchase.

CZ also mentioned he had made friends with a number of inmates, characterizing some of them as “super nice guys” and indicating that some of them do not seem to belong there. He also stated that he did not encounter any problems with the other inmates. Although he noted that certain guards could be rather strict towards him and the other prisoners, he reported no significant conflicts with them. Reflecting on his experience, he expressed that he felt fortunate to have come through it without any physical harm.

CZ’s New Chapter

CZ addressed his present association with Binance, clarifying that he is not involved in the company’s daily operations. Nevertheless, he reassured that, as far as he is aware, his rights as a shareholder are secure. He described it as a good relationship and one in which others work hard while he is “forced to retire.”

CZ also introduced a nonprofit online education initiative. The platform offers free basic education to people with restricted access, targeting 1.2 billion underserved individuals around the world. According to him, ultimately, he remains optimistic about cryptocurrency.

Malaya has positions in SHIB, ETH, USDT, MATIC, etc. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

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