Binance’s Changpeng Zhao to be Released Early: What Will the Billionaire Do Next?

Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as "CZ," was released from federal custody earlier than expected, with his release moved from Sunday, September 29, to Friday, September 27, due to a policy of not releasing inmates on weekends.

Zhao had served a four-month sentence in the U.S. for violations tied to Binance’s anti-money laundering controls. His time in prison began at a minimum-security facility in California before he was transferred to a halfway house in Long Beach, where he enjoyed supervised activities like movie outings.

With his release, speculation has grown about his next moves. Despite declining interviews, Zhao’s lawyer confirmed he had no immediate public plans.

There is talk of Zhao focusing on family life or his philanthropic projects, such as Giggle Academy, which aims to provide free education to underprivileged children globally. His family’s endorsements and his charity work were said to contribute to his reduced sentence.

Although Zhao is stepping away from Binance’s daily operations as part of a criminal settlement, he remains the company’s largest shareholder and still holds significant influence.

The settlement also placed two external monitors over Binance to ensure regulatory compliance, though the company has continued to thrive with over 229 million global users under its current leadership.