In 2013, during a casual poker game with friends, Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, stumbled upon a concept that would change his life forever: #Bitcoin š”. Introduced as a revolutionary digital currency that operated without banks or intermediaries, Bitcoin initially seemed unusual and abstract to CZ. However, it ignited his curiosity and lingered in his thoughts.
With a solid tech backgroundādeveloping trading systems for the Tokyo Stock Exchange and building financial software at BloombergāCZ dove deeper into Bitcoin š§āš». The more he learned, the more he recognized its groundbreaking potential. Trusting his instincts, he made a bold move: he sold his Shanghai apartment and invested everything into Bitcoin.
This leap of faith marked the start of CZās incredible crypto journey š. He soon became the Head of Development at Blockchain.info, collaborating with early innovators in the space. Later, as CTO at OKCoin, he gained invaluable experience in crypto exchange operations š.
By 2017, CZ saw an opportunity to revolutionize the industry. He envisioned a platform that was faster, more user-friendly, and accessible to a global audience š. Backed by his vision, he launched Binance, raising $20M through an ICO. Within months, Binance skyrocketed to become the worldās largest cryptocurrency exchange, setting new benchmarks in the industry š.
What began as a casual poker conversation evolved into a defining moment for CZāa moment that inspired him to reshape the future of digital finance. His story is a testament to the power of curiosity, risk-taking, and belief in innovation to transform history.
