Bitaigen Research We have distilled the latest interview with Binance’s founder to outline his exit stance and his outlook on the industry’s future, with a focus on his views regarding Bitcoin’s long‑term trajectory and the potential structural impacts of shifting U.S. policy. This article aims to help readers capture macro signals and discern the key drivers of the next market cycle.
Changpeng Zhao (CZ) made it clear that he will not go back to Binance (BINANCE) and said that his departure has been a smooth exit; he also forecast that, bolstered by supportive U.S. policy and other factors, Bitcoin (BTC) could enter a sustained super‑cycle in 2026.
In an interview with CNBC’s *Squawk Box*, CZ noted that although former U.S. President Donald Trump’s pardon lifted certain restrictions, he has no intention of re‑joining Binance. He said, “I really don’t need to go back, and I don’t want to. For me, this is a pretty decent way to exit, quietly saying goodbye after seven years.” CZ further explained that returning to Binance would not be the optimal choice for either him or the company, and that he wants to leave room for other capable leaders to grow.
“A candid conversation at Davos – about prisons, pardons, and the true meaning of future freedom.”
The full interview is available on @CNBC, hosted by @andrewrsorkin, focusing on building new opportunities for the future.
CZ’s Pardon Background
- In November 2023, CZ was sentenced to four months in prison for failing to maintain an effective anti‑money‑laundering program at Binance and was barred from holding any position at the exchange.
- In October 2024, Trump granted him a pardon, a move that sparked attention from some U.S. lawmakers regarding crypto projects linked to Binance and Trump. Trump himself has denied ever knowing CZ.
Binance Doesn’t Need “Micromanagers”
CZ emphasized that since his resignation, Binance’s operations have not suffered. The exchange is now run by two high‑performing CEOs, and several key metrics have continued to grow:
| Metric | Latest Figure |
|---|---|
| User base | Over **300 million** |
| Annual trading volume | **$34 trillion** (USD) |
| Market share | Continually rising |
In a public letter issued in December 2023, Richard Teng and long‑time partner He Yi announced the above figures. CZ added, “I just want to point out that Binance today doesn’t need a guy pointing fingers. After all, I’m still a shareholder, and I prefer to give advice passively, mainly via Twitter.”
Note for U.S. readers: Binance’s global platform is not available to U.S. customers; they must use Binance.US instead.
Bitcoin Expected to Enter a Super‑Cycle in 2026
Even though overall crypto sentiment is expected to be weak throughout 2025, CZ still predicts that Bitcoin could embark on a super‑cycle within the next 12 months. He highlighted three pillars:
- Four‑year cycle: Historically, Bitcoin reaches a new all‑time high roughly every four years, followed by a correction.
- Policy support: The United States is increasing its backing of crypto assets, and other jurisdictions are following suit, which could disrupt the traditional four‑year rhythm.
- Fundamental upgrades: Long‑term demand, institutional allocation, and technological innovation are providing strong fundamental support for Bitcoin.
According to CoinMarketCap, a super‑cycle refers to a prolonged period of growth that outpaces normal rates, typically driven by robust fundamentals. CZ believes that Bitcoin in 2026 will display similar traits, entering a long‑term upward phase propelled by multiple converging factors.
“Usually Bitcoin follows a four‑year cycle. If you look at the historical data, every four years there’s a new high, and then a downtrend follows,” CZ explained. “But this year, given the level of support the United States is showing for crypto, and the fact that other countries are quickly catching up, I think we’ll actually see that phenomenon.”
For deeper analysis of the 2026 Bitcoin super‑cycle, follow Bitaigen (比特根) and its upcoming articles.
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⚠️ Risk Disclaimer: Crypto prices are highly volatile. This is not investment advice.
