CZ Says: "I Advise Twelve Governments and Leaders on Cryptocurrency"

Changpeng "CZ" Zhao presented his vision for the future of cryptocurrency, linking digital assets with artificial intelligence while emphasizing changes in policy, educational projects, and the role of global advisory. At the "Fireside Chat" at WebX in Tokyo, CZ described the significant shift in U.S. cryptocurrency policy. CZ Praises Trump's Policy Changes He noted that President Donald Trump publicly supported digital assets in July 2024, in stark contrast to the confrontational stance of the previous administration. "During the previous administration, I felt like I was in prison due to strict regulations," CZ said. He praised the developments under Trump, citing three bills that were enacted, including the stablecoin law and the Genius Act, while opposing central bank digital currency (CBDC). According to CZ, the administration acknowledges the groundbreaking nature of cryptocurrency but considers embracing innovation to be more commendable than falling behind globally. Regarding the rise of artificial intelligence, CZ predicts that cryptocurrency will become the natural medium of exchange for AI. "AI will not use traditional fiat currencies like the US dollar or the Japanese yen. It will not rely on banks or credit cards," he said. He argues that banks are designed for humans, while blockchain provides programmable APIs that can communicate directly with AI agents. Looking to the future, CZ envisions hundreds or thousands of AI agents operating for each user, multiplying economic activity by 100 or 1,000 times. He suggests that many of these transactions will occur in the form of microtransactions on the blockchain network. Education, Policy Consulting and Startup Guidance Since leaving Binance, CZ has focused on education through his Giggle Academy project, which currently serves about 50,000 children. He estimates that fully digitizing 18 years of education could cost $300 million, much less than the annual education budget of $110 billion of the US government. CZ also revealed that he has advised at least 12 governments and world leaders, both officially and unofficially, on regulations, stablecoins, CBDCs, and the broader adoption of cryptocurrencies. He praised the leadership of the UAE for embracing innovation, while also adding that small countries with strong governance tend to develop the fastest. For entrepreneurs, CZ emphasizes the practice of ethics and the development of long-term products over short-term profits. He encourages founders to create products that deliver true value and connect passion with market needs. Looking to the future, CZ stated that he intends to mentor and train new founders, while his investment company EZ Labs will support early-stage projects, providing not only capital but also strategic support.