CZ’s online activity is fueling speculation as he continues discussing BNB Chain , even after officially leaving Binance. The trading volume of BNB Chain briefly overtook Solana but later settled in third place behind Ethereum and Solana. While some credit CZ with driving Binance’s growth, critics accuse him of encouraging risky speculation. Despite stepping down in 2023 as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, Changpeng Zhao (CZ) remains a key figure in the crypto industry . He had publicly committed to focusing on Giggle Academy, his free educational initiative, but his frequent discussions about BNB Chain suggest he still holds sway over Binance’s ecosystem. As part of his legal deal, CZ agreed never to manage Binance again. After his release, he emphasized his commitment to Giggle Academy, a project aimed at providing global access to learning materials and helping young people avoid crypto scams. Before his arrest, he had actively promoted the initiative. “There are always more opportunities in the future than in the past… Giggle Academy has been going well and will be a big part of my life for the next few years… I will also dedicate more time and funding to charity (and education). I have some rough ideas… Oh, Binance seems to be doing well without me back-seat driving, which is excellent. Every founder’s dream,” CZ shared on X after his release. However, his actions tell a different story—BNB Chain remains a frequent topic of his online discussions. His interest in the project has led to BNB Chain’s trading volume surpassing Solana , at least temporarily. On February 16, crypto educator Crypto with Khan highlighted that BNB Chain’s 24-hour trading volume had exceeded Solana’s. CZ shared data from DeFiLlama showing that Binance Smart Chain (BSC) had even surpassed Solana in weekly volume. However, Solana has since reclaimed its second-place position, with BNB Chain now trailing behind both Ethereum and Solana. CZ’s continued involvement in the crypto space has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters see him as a visionary who remains crucial to Binance’s success. “What is happening with BNB Chain right now proves that a true dragon cannot be caged! CZ was jailed for four months and forced to leave Binance unfairly. He returned, took a short break, and is now focusing on BNB Chain. It’s already making waves under his influence, and the momentum is just beginning,” wrote Da Viking, a Floki core advisor. However, others argue that his actions are reckless, fueling unsustainable speculation. DeFi researcher Leviathan accused CZ of creating a speculative frenzy. “Congrats CZ, you drove hundreds of millions in volume on BNB while thousands of fake meme coins popped up, rinsing and rugging investors for millions,” he wrote. This criticism aligns with concerns that his tweets often lead to short-lived investment hype with little long-term value. CZ himself admitted that people tend to overanalyze his posts, reading into even casual mentions of certain projects. This followed backlash over a surge in meme coins and AI-related tokens after he posted about them. Amid this ongoing debate, Binance Labs has recently rebranded as YZi Labs , which CZ described as an effort to expand its vision. However, many speculate that this move could be a loophole allowing CZ to maintain influence without officially violating his ban from Binance management. While YZi Labs is presented as independent, some believe it offers CZ a way to remain deeply involved in the crypto space. Despite these controversies, BNB’s price has fluctuated, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding CZ’s role. Whether he remains a stabilizing force or a risky catalyst for speculation remains a key discussion within the industry.
