CZ to Make Highly Anticipated Debut in Dubai Marking First Public Appearance After Release
Following his resignation as CEO of Binance, Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao will be making a public appearance for the first time at the Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai.
In a post on October 10, Zhao confirmed his attendance at the event, which is expected to be one of the most significant web3 events of the year. His upcoming appearance has generated a lot of buzz in the crypto space, with many industry figures eagerly anticipating what he may share. Tron founder and CEO Justin Sun, among others, has welcomed the Binance co-founder’s return to the public eye.
This will be Zhao’s first public appearance since he pleaded guilty to violating U.S. anti-money laundering regulations and paid a $50 million fine, with Binance itself being fined $4.3 billion. As part of the settlement, Zhao resigned from his role as CEO and served four months in prison, and he is now prohibited from managing the company for life. However, he still holds a 90% ownership stake in Binance, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the crypto space with an estimated net worth of $61 billion.
Binance Blockchain Week 2024, scheduled for October 30-31, is expected to be a major Web3 event, following the success of last year’s Istanbul edition. The event’s theme, “Momentum,” will focus on the ongoing progress in the crypto industry despite challenges, exploring its current state, hurdles, and future direction. The event, to be held at the Coca-Cola Arena, will feature discussions on the crypto industry’s decentralized values and its adaptation to evolving regulations, as well as interactive sessions and workshops on new blockchain tools and platforms.
In addition to Zhao, the event will feature appearances by several key industry players, including Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, Nansen CEO Alex Svanevik, Dubai Future Foundation CEO Khalfan Belhoul, and Sotheby’s Vice President of Digital Art Michael Bouhanna.
Since leaving Binance, there has been speculation about Zhao’s next move. He has expressed his intention to shift his focus away from the crypto sector and dedicate his next chapter to providing opportunities for youth, particularly through educational platforms for underprivileged children. A website called Giggle Academy has been created for this initiative, but it is still in its early stages.
