Quick breakdown
- CZ marked one year since his U.S. prison release, reflecting on his journey and crypto growth.
- He praised Trump’s pro-crypto policies and SEC reforms under Paul Atkins.
- Giggle Academy expanded rapidly, enrolling 50,000 children and raising $4 million.
CZ reflects on life after prison
Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has marked the one-year anniversary of his release from a U.S. prison, where he served a four-month sentence and paid a $50 million fine for failing to implement anti-money laundering measures at Binance. In a new post, Zhao described the past year as transformative both for his personal journey and the wider crypto industry.
A year (and 2 days) ago, I got out of prison and finally left the US.
What a year since then!
We saw the people of U.S. choosing a pro-crypto President and government, influencing policies all around the world.
We saw #BNB reaching All-Time-High after ATH.
We saw #BTC reaching… https://t.co/9hvgp8Bo97— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) September 29, 2025
“A year (and 2 days) ago, I got out of prison and finally left the US. What a year since then!”
Zhao wrote, noting how his perspective shifted after stepping away from Binance leadership.
Praise for Trump’s pro-crypto government
CZ commended U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him a “pro-crypto President” whose administration influenced global digital asset policies. He credited Trump’s leadership for initiatives such as the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve & U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile and the GENIUS Act.
Zhao also welcomed the regulatory shift at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Chairman Paul Atkins, who has moved away from the aggressive enforcement tactics of his predecessor Gary Gensler. According to Zhao, the SEC is now focusing on clearer, more constructive frameworks for digital assets.
Market highs for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB
Reflecting on market performance, Zhao pointed to the record-breaking rallies of major tokens in 2025. Bitcoin (BTC) soared to a new all-time high of $124,128 in August, while Ethereum (ETH) hit $4,946. Binance’s native token, BNB, crossed the $1,000 mark in September, peaking at $1,079.
Giggle Academy and YZi Labs
Beyond market movements, CZ highlighted his personal ventures. His non-profit project, Giggle Academy, has raised more than $4 million in donations within a week of launch and enrolled over 50,000 children. The platform provides free education in subjects ranging from math and science to modern fields like blockchain, AI, and entrepreneurship.
He also took over the leadership of YZi Labs, formerly Binance Labs, which manages a $10 billion portfolio and plans to open its doors to external investors. Zhao says his focus now includes mentorship for startups and investment in AI, robotics, and biotech.
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