During his recent visit to Kyrgyzstan, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao 
Changpeng Zhao
Changpeng Zhao, populalrly known as CZ, is a Chinese-Canadian businessman. He founded Binance, the biggest cryptocurrency exchange in the world based on trading volume. CZ came across Bitcoin (BTC) in 2013 from a friend.
Quick Facts
Full Name
Changpeng Zhao
Birth
1977 in Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
Nationality
Chinese-Canadian, UAE
Education
BSc. from McGill University
Marital Status
Married to Yang Weiqing
Famous For
Binance, Advocate for decentralized finance, blockchain tech.
Net Worth
$59.4B (refer for realtime)
Before starting Binance in 2017, he was the Head of Development at Blockchain.info and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at OKCoin. Under CZ, Binance launched an ICO (Initial Coin Offering) that raised $15 million and rapidly became the largest exchange within months.
To improve trading options, the firm introduced Binance Smart Chain (BSC), Binance Labs, Binance Academy, Binance Launchpad, and other blockchain-based solutions. CZ has influenced the global adoption of crypto by offering regulatory compliance, DeFi solutions, and infrastructure for digital assets.
CZ’s Career Timeline
Tokyo Stock Exchange (2001–2003) – Developed trading systems for financial institutions.
Bloomberg Tradebook (2003–2005) – Worked as a software developer for high-frequency trading systems.
Fusion Systems (2005–2013) – Co-founded this financial technology firm specializing in ultra-low-latency trading solutions.
Blockchain.info (2013–2014) – Served as Head of Development, working with early Bitcoin adopters like Roger Ver and Ben Reeves.
OKCoin (2014–2015) – Worked as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at one of the largest fiat-to-crypto exchanges at the time.
Binance (2017–2023) – Founded Binance and led it to become the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange before stepping down as CEO in 2023.
Awards and Recognizations of CZ
List of achievements
Year
Bloomberg 50 – Most Influential People in Finance
2021
Forbes Crypto Rich List – Billionaire Status
2022
Top 10 Most Influential People in Crypto (CoinDesk)
2022
Binance – World’s Largest Crypto Exchange by Volume
2018-23
There were regulatory issues in some countries about crypto. However, CZ continued to support decentralization, financial freedom, and innovation in the cryptocurrency industry. After reaching an agreement with U.S. regulators over compliance violations, in 2023, he resigned as CEO of Binance.
Useful Links To Connect With CZ
X (formerly Twiter)
https://twitter.com/cz_binance?
Instagram
CZ_Binance (@changpengzhao)
LinkedIn
Changpeng Zhao - Binance | LinkedIn
EntrepreneurInvestorChief Executive Officer
shared more than just a casual tweet. While admiring a car with a custom “BNB” license plate, one that wasn’t even his own, CZ made a surprising suggestion. He urged the Kyrgyz government to consider using Bitcoin (BTC) and BNB as the first assets for a National Crypto Reserve.
Let’s dive in detail.
Crypto Reserve: From Idea to Action?
The idea of a country holding cryptocurrencies in its reserves might have seemed strange a few years ago. But with global inflation, banking instability, and growing digital adoption, the conversation around national crypto reserves is starting to get real.
CZ’s suggestion to Kyrgyzstan shows how crypto leaders are now directly encouraging governments to look at digital assets the same way they once viewed gold or foreign currencies.
By naming Bitcoin and BNB as ideal starting points, CZ is pointing Kyrgyzstan toward both trust and utility.
Why Bitcoin and BNB?
Bitcoin is already widely known as a store of value in the crypto world. Many see it as digital gold because of its limited supply and decentralized system. BNB, on the other hand, is closely tied to the Binance ecosystem and has many real-world uses, from trading fee discounts to smart contract payments.
For a country like Kyrgyzstan, small in size but rich in potential, building a crypto reserve could be a smart financial move.
Kyrgyzstan Moves Ahead with Digital Som
Last month, President Sadyr Zhaparov signed a new law to launch its own digital money, called the digital som. The law also gives full control to the country’s central bank to decide how everything will work.
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic will choose how people can use the digital som, how it will run, and when it will be ready for the public.
A test version is planned for 2025.
FAQs
What is a national crypto reserve? A national crypto reserve is when a country holds digital assets like Bitcoin as part of its financial reserves.
Can countries use Bitcoin as a reserve asset? Yes, some countries are exploring Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and economic instability, similar to gold.
What is the timeline for Kyrgyzstan’s digital som launch? The digital som’s pilot begins in 2025, with a full launch decision expected by late 2026.
