Binance Founder Calls U.S. Prison ‘Terrifying,’ Shares Life Lessons

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has broken his silence about his time behind bars, describing the four months he spent in a U.S. prison as one of the most unsettling and eye-opening periods of his life.

Speaking in a recent interview with Rug Radio, Zhao recounted the emotional and psychological toll of incarceration. Lacking U.S. citizenship meant he was placed in a more restrictive facility, where he shared space with inmates serving long sentences—an environment he described as deeply intimidating.

His initial anxiety peaked when he learned his cellmate was serving time for a double homicide. But what began as fear turned into an unexpected friendship. “We got along surprisingly well,” he noted.

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Zhao said the lack of privilege or special treatment due to his status as a crypto billionaire forced him to adapt quickly. While he was treated respectfully by many fellow inmates, the mental strain—especially the uncertainty around potential sentence extensions—remained intense. “That fear never leaves,” he said.

The experience shifted his personal priorities. “I used to think work came first,” Zhao reflected. “Now, it’s health, then family—everything else follows.”

He also criticized the U.S. justice system, questioning the effectiveness of lengthy prison sentences. According to Zhao, extended incarceration often leads inmates to lose hope rather than focus on rehabilitation.

Alexander Stefanov