Changpeng Zhao, aka CZ has made it clear, even with a potential Trump pardon, he’s not coming back to run Binance.
In a new interview, the former CEO said he’s focused on new ventures and family, not returning to the exchange he built.
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It’s a surprising stance for someone who still holds massive influence in crypto, but honestly, it could be the cleanest way to protect his legacy.
What CZ Actually Said About Binance and His Future
CZ, who stepped down after pleading guilty to money laundering charges in 2023 and served four months in prison, told Bloomberg that a pardon wouldn’t change his plans.
“I’m not going back,” he said. He’s now building Giggle Academy, an education platform, and investing in AI and blockchain startups.
He still owns a big stake in Binance but has no official operational role, Richard Teng runs the show. CZ framed the decision as forward-looking: “Binance is in good hands. I want to build new things.”
The comment came amid speculation that a Trump pardon, which is widely expected for non-violent crypto cases like his, could clear his name and also, open doors.
But CZ seems uninterested in reclaiming the CEO seat.
How This Fits Leadership and Founder Exit Trends**
We’ve seen this pattern in the past years, founders step back after scandals or regulatory heat. Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX collapse led to permanent exit.
Terra’s Do Kwon is still fighting extradition. Brian Armstrong from Coinbase stayed but distanced from direct ops during SEC battles.
CZ’s move is cleaner, he pleaded guilty, served time, and walked away without trying to claw back control. Binance has stabilized under Teng, with focus on compliance, institutional growth, and CZ’s absence reduces personal liability risk.
It’s similar to how early tech founders (Zuckerberg stayed, but Dorsey left Twitter twice) sometimes exit to protect the company from their baggage.
Founders Stepping Aside in a Regulated Era, Green Flag or Red Flag?
Experts say this reflects crypto’s maturation. Early days were founder-driven. There was a person, a face.
Now regulation demands separation, CEOs can’t be the brand and the risk. CZ staying out protects Binance from “CZ = Binance” liability in future probes.
It’s like TradFi CEOs stepping back after scandals, think Wells Fargo, or Deutsche Bank, to let professional managers rebuild trust.
For users, it’s mixed, because yes, CZ’s vision built Binance, but his exit could mean less innovation, more bureaucracy.
On the flip side, it also signals maturity, exchanges surviving founders, not collapsing without them.
The scale? Binance still holds ~30% market share, so CZ’s absence hasn’t dented it yet.
A candid conversation from Davos – on prison, pardon, and what freedom means going forward.
Full interview on @CNBC with @andrewrsorkin. Focused on building what’s next. pic.twitter.com/x94llJFac2
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) January 25, 2026
Okay, CZ Won’t Return, But Why This Matters?
The good news is that Binance likely gets bigger breathing room. No CZ drama means less regulatory target, more focus on compliance and institutional growth (new licenses, ETF custody push).
CZ building education/AI could bring positive PR. The bad news? Some see it as CZ cashing out (like, if cashing out is a bad thing), his wealth is tied to BNB and Binance equity, a pardon boosts value without personal risk.
Retail might miss his “founder energy” even if CZ tweets moved markets less violently than a Musk tweet. And if Binance slows innovation, competitors could eat share.
Still, from prison to “I’m out” is a sign crypto leaders can exit scandals and still shape the space from outside.
Strategic Retreat?
Critics might say it’s nothing but pure PR, because CZ stays influential via BNB holdings and tweets.
Maybe there’s truth there. But not the whole truth. His actions match his words so far, no operational role since 2023, focus on new projects, and still, Binance thrives without him daily.
CZ’s “no return” stance could be the best thing for Binance’s long-term stability.
If he’s serious, it’s a mature move in a maturing industry. We’ll see if he really stays away or if crypto pulls him back.
Disclosure:This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
Kriptoworld.com accepts no liability for any errors in the articles or for any financial loss resulting from incorrect information.
Cryptocurrency and Web3 expert, founder of Kriptoworld
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With years of experience covering the blockchain space, András delivers insightful reporting on DeFi, tokenization, altcoins, and crypto regulations shaping the digital economy.
📅 Published: January 27, 2026 • 🕓 Last updated: January 27, 2026
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