Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, co-founder of Binance and one of the most influential figures in the cryptocurrency industry, outlined an ambitious global education initiative while speaking at Token2049 in Dubai.
Besides expressing concerns about the ineffective cryptocurrency adoption in Europe, Zhao introduced Giggle Academy, a free online education platform designed to reach hundreds of millions of students globally.
By combining gamified learning with generative AI, the platform aims to provide K–12 education and entrepreneurial education for children worldwide, reflecting Zhao's shift from Binance to technology innovation and philanthropy.
CZ Zhao criticizes the passivity of European cryptocurrency in the context of the rising global digital asset strategy
Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, former CEO of Binance and one of the most influential voices in the cryptocurrency industry, harshly criticized Europe's sluggish pace in adopting digital currency during his appearance at the Token2049 conference in Dubai on April 30.
Speaking to a passionate crowd of blockchain enthusiasts, investors, and policymakers, Zhao compared the proactive approaches of countries like the United Arab Emirates and Bhutan to what he described as Europe's "vacuous" trajectory in the context of digital assets.
“I don’t see Europe in this discussion,” Zhao said, emphasizing the clear absence of a serious cryptocurrency reserve strategy in most continents.
While the European Union has made strides in regulatory oversight—most notably with the phased rollout of the Cryptocurrency Asset Markets framework (MiCA)—Zhao argues that regulation alone is insufficient. He contends that Europe's failure to meaningfully engage in discussions around state-backed cryptocurrency reserves, national Bitcoin or Ether reserves, and blockchain-driven innovation has caused Europe to lag in the rapidly evolving global race to lead in digital finance.
Montenegro: A unique exception in Europe
Zhao highlighted Montenegro as a rare bright spot, noting its progressive leadership and positive dialogue with cryptocurrency companies. “Montenegro is actually quite supportive of cryptocurrency,” he said, noting that the Prime Minister has directly engaged with him and Binance in previous initiatives to establish blockchain hubs and explore central bank digital currency (CBDC) frameworks.
Montenegro has long positioned itself as an exception in the region, even proposing pilot projects related to cryptocurrency payments and attracting blockchain startups with tax incentives. In contrast, most other countries in Europe still lack meaningful cryptocurrency adoption strategies, especially those related to cryptocurrency reserves or treasury diversification.
Zhao praised Dubai and the United Arab Emirates more broadly for being "extremely supportive of businesses," arguing that the increased cryptocurrency adoption in the region is due to clear regulatory frameworks, innovation-friendly governance, and a willingness to work directly with the industry.
Zhao also pointed to Bhutan as another surprising leader in this space. The Himalayan nation, known for its cautious approach to modernization, has quietly built Bitcoin and Ether reserves as part of its sovereign investment strategy. These national holdings, although not officially detailed, reflect an early understanding of the role of cryptocurrency as a treasury diversification asset—a move that many larger economies have yet to adopt.
Europe's hesitation and America's influence
While Europe has made progress on regulatory clarity, such as the ongoing rollout of MiCA since December 2024, central banks and political leaders on the continent still largely oppose the idea of holding cryptocurrency as a reserve asset. In January, the Czech National Bank acknowledged having assessed Bitcoin but cited its "significant volatility" as a major deterrent.
Zhao's appearance in Dubai marks one of his most attention-grabbing public statements since stepping down from Binance in November 2023, a move that came as part of a plea deal with U.S. authorities following enforcement actions against the cryptocurrency exchange.
Although he has stepped back from the executive spotlight, Zhao still wields profound influence. His voice, as heard at Token2049, continues to shape the dialogue around cryptocurrency adoption and global policy.
Token2049: Where the powerful in cryptocurrency gather
The Token2049 conference in Dubai continues to serve as a focal point for cryptocurrency innovation, bringing together top executives, policymakers, and thought leaders. Besides Zhao, this year's speaker lineup includes the current CEO of Binance, Richard Teng, and the CEO of Tether, Paolo Ardoino.
With the presence of industry giants and attention to regulatory topics, Token2049 highlighted a clear message: regions not seriously engaging in digital assets risk falling behind.
CZ Zhao aims for free education for one billion children with Giggle Academy
In related news, Zhao has also revealed an ambitious mission to reshape global education: providing a free, gamified curriculum for up to one billion children worldwide. Speaking at the Token2049 conference, Zhao outlined his vision for Giggle Academy, an online platform that he believes can democratize access to basic education and business using the most engaging digital tools available today.
Zhao told the crowd: “I think in a few years, I want to teach for free to 100 million or 1 billion children,” adding that technological advancements, particularly in video games and AI, make this goal not only feasible but also scalable.
The core service of Giggle Academy is a free curriculum from kindergarten to grade 12 delivered through a mobile app, initially focusing on making education as engaging as mobile games. By leveraging interactivity and game-based learning mechanisms, the platform hopes to "hook kids to their devices" in a way that promotes not just screen time but effective skill-building engagement.
While the initial phase of Giggle Academy focuses on primary and secondary education, Zhao emphasized that the platform will expand to include non-traditional subjects often overlooked in standard curricula. These include:
Startups and negotiations
Finance and accounting
Legal and sales framework
Blockchain and artificial intelligence
Giggle's concept document, released earlier this year, outlines a phased rollout plan designed to fill gaps in conventional education systems while addressing the emerging needs of the digital-native generation.
Now living in Dubai, Zhao is no longer a business mogul but a technology philanthropist intent on using his wealth and network to address educational inequality—a problem he believes can be solved at scale through technology.
AI leads the way in developing the curriculum
Zhao's remarks in Dubai reflect a broader trend in education: an increasing reliance on generative AI to build and deliver learning content. He revealed that Giggle Academy extensively uses AI tools to create course materials, customize learning pathways, and even generate interactive stories for students.
This AI-driven approach positions Giggle at the forefront of the rapidly growing education movement. In Japan, the Ministry of Education approved the use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT in classrooms in 2023. In India, an AI-powered robot teacher was launched at KTCT High School in Kerala in early 2024.
Elsewhere, former Tesla and OpenAI executive Andrej Karpathy launched Eureka Labs, a startup specializing in developing AI-powered teaching assistants capable of providing expert-level instruction in multiple languages. His vision aligns with Zhao's, as both aim to create a future where access to quality education is no longer limited by borders, wealth, or infrastructure.
From Billionaire to Builder of a Billion Minds
Zhao's transition from cryptocurrency mogul to education reformer may seem surprising, but for those familiar with his long-term perspective, it aligns with his broader belief in freedom through knowledge and technology. Giggle Academy represents a full-circle moment: an effort to harness the tools, capital, and community of the cryptocurrency era to empower the next generation—not through tokens, but through transformative learning.
If Zhao succeeds in achieving even a small fraction of his goal, Giggle Academy could become one of the largest-scale educational projects ever undertaken—a project not driven by government but by the decentralized nature of the cryptocurrency community.