In an ecosystem where the speed of change far exceeds traditional markets, some statements act as milestones. Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, made a notable remark: 'Change will happen whether you are here or not.' Behind this statement is a clear message to the blockchain community: adapt or die. Although retired, CZ continues to influence the trajectory of the industry by directly communicating with investors, developers, and entrepreneurs about supporting their growth.
A disruptive message
After reversing the situation with the presidential pardon request, Changpeng Zhao returned strongly and once again delivered a clear message to the cryptocurrency community, in a post shared on social media X on July 31, 2025: 'Embrace change. It will happen whether you are here or not, but it’s better to have you here.'
For the now-retired founder of Binance, this is not just an empty philosophical saying but a call for wisdom. In a market marked by profound shifts in technology, regulation, and structure, CZ emphasizes that evolution will not wait for anyone.
Bitcoin, DeFi or NFT are the clearest historical examples: breakthroughs that have transformed the financial landscape, often despite the initial skepticism of traditional observers.
Through this message, CZ reminds us that maintaining the status quo is no longer an option. To better understand the implications of this statement, let’s explore the following:
Accepting change is not an option but a necessity: CZ refers to the idea that it is better to 'go along with change' rather than oppose it, with the risk of being left behind;
The message to investors, developers, and entrepreneurs: all are concerned about this change dynamic, whether passively or actively;
A global vision of progress in the ecosystem: although his message remains concise, CZ reminds us that major innovations in cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, blockchain, DeFi) arise from change, not comfort;
Stagnation as a barrier to progress: not evolving in this field means pushing oneself to the sidelines.
This message aligns with a series of positions from CZ, who continues to influence industry debates even after leaving the Binance management. Instead of commenting on price trends or regulations, he chooses to spread a strategic vision focused on adaptability.
His perspective reflects the community's readiness for upcoming changes, whether in technological development or profound shifts in Web3 economic models.
Strategic advice for Web3 builders
After this general warning, CZ also specifically addressed developers and entrepreneurs within the ecosystem. In a message posted this week, he advised them to refocus on the core element: the product.
'Focus on the product itself, not its appearance. A good product has its own place,' he wrote, encouraging project leaders to abandon the effects of form to concentrate on substance.
He also emphasized the importance of clarity in presenting ideas, proposing comprehensive supports based on 'bullet points and diagrams.' The message must be clear because when faced with more discerning investors, effectiveness and readability take precedence.
These pieces of advice are far from trivial. They target a generation of developers growing in a context very different from 2017, or even 2021. The era of flashy pitches and vague roadmaps seems to be over. By offering these guidelines, CZ appears to be forecasting a new era for cryptocurrency: the maturity era. A phase where only solid, understandable, and useful projects can survive through the next natural market selection cycle.
These recommendations reflect a strategic advancement in how innovation is shaped within blockchain. They reveal a future where value will no longer be measured by speculation but by practical application. If industry companies seriously consider these warnings, the next bull run may honor cryptocurrency projects capable of meeting specific needs, with readable, robust products integrated into the real economy.