- Self-Publishing and a Charitable Mission
- Publication Details and a Possible Title
- Memoir Themes: from FTX to Prison
- From a Crypto Empire to a New Path
- No Memecoins, No Hype
Changpeng Zhao—the founder of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, and one of the most recognizable figures in digital assets, widely known as CZ—is preparing to release his autobiography. Written in English and Chinese, the memoir is expected to go on sale in late February or early March 2026.
According to Zhao, the book will be his first in-depth account of the past several years—from founding Binance and stepping down as CEO to high-profile legal battles, his time in prison, and life beyond the crypto industry. “There’s nothing secret. All the answers are in my book,” Zhao wrote on X on January 25, commenting on the upcoming release.
Self-Publishing and a Charitable Mission
Unlike most business authors, Zhao has chosen to publish the memoir independently, without a major publishing house. He explains that the traditional publishing process could have delayed the release by many months. “Working with a publisher would have taken longer, even though it likely would have helped with distribution,” CZ admitted.
The book is approximately 300 pages long, totaling around 97,000 words. All proceeds from sales will be donated to charitable causes. “I’m not planning to make money from this project,” Zhao emphasized, adding that the funds will support educational and social initiatives.
Publication Details and a Possible Title
The Chinese edition is expected to be titled Life with Binance (币安人生). The English title, however, has not yet been finalized—Zhao says he may change it even at the last moment.
Sources close to the former Binance CEO’s team note that work on the book has been underway for more than six months. The first draft exceeded 114,000 words, after which Zhao substantially revised the manuscript, cutting sections and adding new details.
Memoir Themes: from FTX to Prison
According to Zhao, the book covers some of the most challenging episodes in the history of the modern crypto industry, including the collapse of the Terra/LUNA ecosystem, the downfall of the FTX exchange, and shifts in digital asset regulation. CZ says he deliberately avoided speculation and rumors: “I didn’t write assumptions. I wanted to rely only on facts, testimony, and my own experience.”
Special attention is given to the four months Zhao spent in a U.S. federal prison, following his guilty plea to violations of U.S. anti–money laundering laws. “Yes, of course the book describes my experiences during that time,” he replied succinctly to a follower.
Zhao was released in the fall of 2024, and a year later, in September 2025, he received an official pardon signed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Since then, the former Binance chief has largely stepped out of the public spotlight, focusing on nonprofit projects and educational initiatives.
From a Crypto Empire to a New Path
Under Zhao’s leadership, Binance grew from a small platform in 2017 into a central player in the cryptocurrency market, at its peak processing billions of dollars in daily transactions. For many in the industry, CZ became a symbol of crypto success—and at the same time, a controversial figure.
In his memoirs, Zhao promises to describe how the exchange was built and managed from the inside, the challenges it faced, and what ultimately led to his departure. He says the book is not only about Binance, but also about the personal transformation of someone who found himself at the center of global financial upheaval.
No Memecoins, No Hype
Ahead of the book’s release, rumors have circulated within the crypto community about the creation of “memecoins” tied to CZ or his autobiography. Zhao has publicly denied these claims: “My book has nothing to do with memecoins or listings. I like meme culture, but that’s it.” He also confirmed that he does not own any such tokens and has no plans to buy them.
According to industry observers, Changpeng Zhao’s memoirs could become one of the most talked-about media events in the crypto space in early 2026. For some, it will be a chance to see the inside story of the world’s largest crypto exchange; for others, an opportunity to reflect on the personal journey of a man who endured meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and a new beginning.
