Binance founder Zhao Changpeng posted on X today: AI artificial intelligence will make you unemployed, cryptocurrencies will make you retire.
(Background summary: CZ’s Davos speech summary: Exchanges and stablecoins are mature, tokenization, crypto payments, and AI will lead the new era)
(Additional background: CZ Zhao Changpeng hints or plans to name his new book “Binance Life,” and meme coin “$BinanceLife” surged accordingly)

Table of Contents

• Exchanges and stablecoins are mature and hard-to-replicate tracks
• Asset tokenization is seen as the biggest potential engine
• Breakthrough in crypto payments lies in the “invisible backend”
• AI will use cryptocurrencies as native payment tools
• Blockchain transparency highlights risks in traditional financial systems
• Fragmented regulation persists, crypto is heading towards long-term evolution
• From bull market narratives to infrastructure narratives

Binance founder Zhao Changpeng (CZ) just yesterday spoke at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, sharing his observations on the development stages and future directions of the cryptocurrency industry. Then, at midnight today (23rd), for some reason, perhaps inspired, he posted on X:

Artificial intelligence will make you jobless
Crypto will make you no longer need a job

Buy and hold now, retire in a few years. ‍♂️ if crypto already allowed you to retire.

(Not financial advice)

— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) January 22, 2026

Regarding his speech at the WEF forum, the key points are summarized as follows:

Exchanges and stablecoins are mature and difficult-to-replicate tracks

Zhao Changpeng first pointed out that, from the entire crypto industry, only two application scenarios have truly stood the test of time and achieved large-scale operation: exchanges and stablecoins. He believes that the market size of these two areas is already quite large, making it very difficult for newcomers to replicate their success, which also means that future industry growth momentum will come from other more structurally transformative directions.

Asset tokenization is regarded as the greatest potential engine

When discussing the most promising future development areas, Zhao Changpeng specifically mentioned “tokenization.” He revealed that he is currently in discussions with “about a dozen governments” about the feasibility of asset tokenization, aiming to assist governments in converting infrastructure, real estate, commodities, and other physical assets into blockchain-based tokens.

Zhao Changpeng pointed out that if asset tokenization is promoted at the national level, it can not only achieve more efficient financing, fractional ownership, and increased liquidity but also unlock asset values worth trillions of dollars and improve government financial management and industrial development efficiency. He predicts that by around 2030, the market size of tokenized assets could have a profound impact on the global financial system.

Breakthrough in crypto payments lies in the “invisible backend”

Regarding crypto payment applications, Zhao Changpeng admitted that over the past decade, cryptocurrencies have not become as widely used as some early expectations for direct everyday payments. Most users still prefer to complete transactions with credit cards or traditional payment methods.

He believes a more pragmatic and scalable model will be the “invisible backend” payment architecture: users still pay in familiar ways on the surface, while settlement is handled via stablecoins or blockchain in the backend, and merchants ultimately receive fiat currency. This hybrid model can effectively reduce costs and accelerate cross-border settlement speeds. Once it becomes mainstream, crypto payments will have the opportunity for real large-scale adoption.

AI will use cryptocurrencies as native payment tools

On the topic of artificial intelligence (AI), Zhao Changpeng offered a more forward-looking perspective. He predicts that cryptocurrencies will become the “native currency” for AI agents. When AI can act autonomously, book tickets, make payments, or execute tasks, it is not suitable to use traditional credit card systems, and blockchain and cryptocurrencies will become the most natural and efficient technological medium.

He believes that the combination of AI and crypto will give rise to a new economic model, enabling AI to conduct microtransactions and real-time value transfers without human intervention, bringing new growth momentum to the digital economy.

Blockchain transparency highlights risks in traditional financial systems

Regarding traditional banking systems, Zhao Changpeng stated that technology itself does not create new risks but accelerates the exposure of existing problems. He pointed out that the long reliance of traditional banks on the “fractional reserve system” inherently risks bank runs and liquidity crises.

In contrast, he cited Binance as an example, noting that in 2023, the platform handled about 7 billion USD in user withdrawals in a single day without systemic stress, highlighting the advantages of blockchain in transparency and real-time clearing. He expects that within the next 10 years, reliance on physical bank branches will significantly decline, with digital KYC and blockchain technology gradually replacing many traditional financial processes.

Fragmented regulation persists, crypto is heading towards long-term evolution

On regulation, Zhao Changpeng remains pragmatic. He pointed out that the global regulatory environment is highly fragmented, and it is unlikely that a unified global crypto regulatory body will emerge in the short term. Countries will continue to develop their own regulations based on their conditions. Against this backdrop, the development of the crypto industry should focus on long-term evolution and gradual implementation, rather than expecting rapid regulatory unification.

From bull market narratives to infrastructure narratives

Overall, Zhao Changpeng’s speech at Davos did not focus on market trends or short-term price movements but clearly conveyed a message: the crypto industry is entering a new phase of “infrastructure + long-term evolution.” Whether it’s national-level asset tokenization, invisible payment systems, or AI-native economies, cryptocurrencies are gradually integrating into the real economy and mainstream systems.