CZ Declines Return to Binance, Predicts Bitcoin Boom in 2026

Highlights:

• Binance co-founder Zhao won’t return despite Trump’s pardon clearing past restrictions.
• Zhao praises new Binance leaders as the exchange hits record 300 million users.
• He focuses on Bitcoin long-term and expects a 2026 super cycle.

Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao will not return to the exchange, even after receiving a pardon from US President Donald Trump in October last year. The pardon cleared restrictions from his November 2023 guilty plea over compliance issues. Zhao had been sentenced to four months in prison and banned from working at Binance, but he now says the matter is behind him.

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In an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box on January 25, Zhao explained that the pardon cleared the way, but he does not want to resume his old role. He said stepping down after seven years was tough at first, but it gave new leaders a chance to grow. Zhao stressed that returning would not help him and that Binance continues to thrive under new leadership. Lawmakers criticized Trump’s pardon, though Trump said he did not know Zhao personally.

A candid conversation from Davos – on prison, pardon, and what freedom means going forward.

Full interview on @CNBC with @andrewrsorkin. Focused on building what’s next. pic.twitter.com/x94llJFac2

— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) January 25, 2026

Zhao emphasized that Binance has not slowed since his departure. He pointed to “two capable CEOs” leading the company, Richard Teng and Yi He, who reported in December that Binance’s user base had surpassed 300 million. 

The exchange also recorded $34 trillion in trading volume during the year, underscoring its dominance in the sector. “I just thought, look; they don’t need a backseat driver today. I’m still a shareholder,” Zhao said. He described himself as “just a pretty passive shareholder” who occasionally shares advice publicly. “Today when I want to give them advice, I just write it on Twitter,” he explained.

CZ Predicts 2026 Super Cycle for Bitcoin

Zhao has stepped back from running Binance and is now focused on Bitcoin’s long-term outlook. He told CNBC that he avoids trading completely. He said he just holds Bitcoin and BNB, without day trading or trying to time the market.

THIS WEEK: 📈 Binance founder predicts 2026 will be a "super-cycle" for #Bitcoin.

Is $BTC done with it's four-year cycle? CZ thinks so.👇 https://t.co/Krldo7uu9M

— Bitcoin.com News (@BitcoinNews) January 25, 2026

Zhao believes Bitcoin might break its usual four-year cycle of rises and falls. He expects 2026 to be a super cycle for cryptocurrency. He noted that pro-crypto regulations in the US and similar moves globally could change the market’s pattern. Looking at a five- to ten-year horizon, Zhao said the trend is clear and upward. Short-term moves remain uncertain, but he expects the broader market direction to rise. He added that global support for crypto makes breaking the four-year cycle likely.

When discussing Bitcoin’s price and the current market phase, Zhao said it varies depending on the period examined. He admitted short-term predictions are unreliable, but over five to ten years, he expects steady growth. “I have very strong feelings that 2026 will probably be a super cycle for Bitcoin,” he said.

Bitcoin Drops as Gold Surpasses $5,000

Bitcoin’s role as “digital gold” faced a test Monday, as gold passed $5,000 per ounce while BTC stayed more than 30% below its record high. This shows a clear gap between traditional and digital safe havens. Bitcoin fell 1% in a day, reaching $87,818, continuing its drop from October highs. Ethereum also dropped, down 1.8% to $2,887, losing 10% over the past week. Solana fell 3.32% to $122.35. The total crypto market value reached $2.97 trillion, down 1.06% in 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap.

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