Changpeng Zhao, widely known as “CZ,” will step out of a halfway house in Long Beach, California, today, two days ahead of his scheduled release. Since April, Zhao has been serving a four-month sentence after failing to implement proper anti-money laundering measures at Binance, the crypto exchange he founded. His early release is common practice when the end date falls on a weekend.
After spending two months in a minimum-security prison, Zhao has enjoyed a more relaxed environment in Long Beach, where he could even go out for movies as per fortune report. Now, he returns to freedom with an estimated fortune of $60 billion, making him the 25th richest person in the world.
Zhao’s first destination is likely to be Dubai or Paris, where his children live with He Ye, his former partner and a key executive at Binance. Family connections seem to be priority for Zhao as he looks to reconnect with loved ones, including his sister and mother, who supported him during his sentencing.
HIs family endorsements played a significant role in securing a relatively lenient sentence. They highlighted Zhao’s philanthropic efforts, particularly his initiative, Giggle Academy, aimed at providing free educational resources for underprivileged children worldwide. However, the project is still in its early stages, lacking detailed plans and funding information.
While Zhao is no longer CEO of Binance due to his legal settlement, he remains the largest shareholder, retaining significant influence over the company. Binance has shifted its focus from the U.S. market to Asia and offshore operations, a move that reflects Zhao’s absence.