The cryptocurrency landscape is evolving rapidly, and few voices carry as much weight as Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the former CEO of Binance. At the BNB Chain Super Meetup in Hong Kong on April 6, CZ engaged in candid conversations with key figures like KOL "Tuao Dashixiong" and Tron founder Justin Sun, offering deep insights into market trends, Web3 development, and the mindset needed to thrive in this volatile yet transformative industry.
From memecoins to long-term value creation, from education initiatives to government adoption of blockchain, CZ’s reflections paint a clear picture: the future belongs to builders—those who focus on fundamentals, sustainability, and real-world impact.
The Meme Hype vs. Real Value: A Market at a Crossroads
One of the most striking themes from CZ’s dialogue was the growing imbalance between speculative frenzy and genuine innovation.
👉 Discover how top builders are navigating the hype cycle and creating lasting value.
When asked about the rising dominance of memecoins, CZ acknowledged their cultural appeal but warned against letting them define the entire ecosystem.
“I’ll say something you might not like: memecoins are fun, but they shouldn’t be the whole crypto world.”
He pointed out that while memecoins attract attention—and even generate short-term wealth—they often lack sustainable utility. Worse, they’re crowding out attention for real builders. Even exchanges struggle to decide which tokens to list because so many projects lack fundamentals.
CZ admitted his own misstep:
“Honestly, my attempt to engage with memes—like posting dog photos—backfired a bit. It sparked hundreds of new memecoin launches overnight. I never intended to endorse any particular one.”
This illustrates a broader issue: meme culture moves fast, but it doesn’t always move forward. Without solid teams, continuous content, and strong IP, most will fade quickly.
Yet, CZ emphasized that building a successful memecoin isn't easy. As Justin Sun noted:
“Projects like Dogecoin or Pepe succeed because they have ongoing community management, storytelling, and engagement—not just a viral moment.”
Still, CZ remains skeptical of the model:
“Traditional projects build first, then raise funds. Memecoins flip that: launch token first, figure out use case later. That makes long-term success extremely difficult.”
Why Real Builders Matter: Fundamentals Over Fads
Amid the noise, CZ reiterated his unwavering support for BUIDLers—those committed to building real products with real users.
A project’s longevity, he said, depends on three core pillars:
- Real users
- Revenue generation
- Profitability
Only when these elements exist can both users and token holders benefit sustainably.
“HODLing only works if you understand the fundamentals. Most tokens will go to zero. Focus on projects with actual use cases.”
This philosophy extends beyond speculation. For investors and founders alike, long-term vision beats short-term gains.
And it’s not just about survival—it’s about resilience.
Projects with strong fundamentals weather market swings better and contribute to a healthier ecosystem overall.
BNB Chain: Reflections and Roadmap Ahead
CZ expressed disappointment that BNB Chain hasn’t played a bigger role in recent trends like the memecoin surge.
“We were absent during the Meme wave. That shouldn’t happen again.”
He attributed part of this gap to his focus on regulatory matters over the past year, which reduced his direct involvement in chain development. But now, he’s pushing for renewed momentum.
The roadmap includes strategic investments in:
- Infrastructure
- DeFi
- AI integration
- Decentralized Science (DeSci)
CZ highlighted meetings with 16 MVB (Most Valuable Builder) projects, many of which show promise across innovative sectors.
He also addressed criticism around BNB valuation, clarifying that price is determined by market demand—not executives.
“We don’t set BNB’s price. We expand its utility—on CEXs, DEXs, and in real-world applications.”
There are ongoing discussions with countries interested in adopting BNB as a recognized digital asset. More importantly, BNB’s limited supply supports its long-term value proposition.
Education as Impact: The Giggle Academy Vision
One of the most inspiring parts of the discussion centered on CZ’s post-Binance mission: Giggle Academy, an initiative aimed at democratizing global education through digital means.
“If you can, you must.”
This personal motto drives his belief that technology can solve one of humanity’s biggest inequities: access to quality education.
Key facts CZ shared:
- Over 120 million people have no access to schooling.
- Around 700–800 million adults are illiterate—mostly women in Africa and Southeast Asia.
- 300–500 million children live too far from schools to attend.
His solution? A fully digitized, gamified curriculum—from age 2 to 18—delivered via app.
“We can create 12 years of English education for $1 million. For all subjects across 18 years? Maybe $300 million total. One-time cost. Infinite scalability.”
Unlike traditional education focused on diplomas, Giggle Academy aims to teach practical skills—especially digital literacy and entrepreneurship—that lead directly to employment.
Subjects will include:
- Programming (from age 16)
- Financial literacy
- Emotional intelligence
- Negotiation
- Blockchain and Web3
“This isn’t charity—it’s scalable impact. And I’m having fun doing it.”
Government Adoption: Selling Blockchain by Solving Problems
CZ revealed that governments are now approaching him—a shift from earlier days when advocates had to pitch blockchain relentlessly.
“They come to us because they don’t want to fall behind—especially compared to the U.S., where figures like Elon Musk are pushing adoption.”
His strategy? Frame blockchain not as a financial tool, but as an efficiency engine.
Use cases he’s actively promoting with national leaders:
- Digital Identity (DID)
- Wallet-integrated services
- Visa applications
- Land registry
- Healthcare records
- Academic credential verification
Once DID and wallets are adopted, entire public systems can become more transparent and efficient.
CZ collaborates with partners—including supported projects like Trust Wallet—to implement these solutions globally.
“Blockchain shouldn’t just be for trading. When it powers real infrastructure, volume follows naturally.”
Countries showing strong interest include:
- UAE (where CZ currently resides)
- Hong Kong
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Japan
- Singapore
- Emerging markets like Côte d'Ivoire and Pakistan
Wallet UX: Honest Critique and Room for Growth
Even CZ didn’t shy away from criticizing Binance Web3 Wallet's user experience.
“It’s not great. Competitors have built better products over the past few years. We’re behind.”
While Binance benefits from a massive user base and trusted brand, UX gaps remain—especially in discovering trending tokens or navigating DeFi protocols.
However, there’s a silver lining:
Binance controls its own chain and launchpad ecosystem, giving it exclusive access to high-potential IDO projects—a major advantage over third-party wallets.
User suggestions—like auto-adding new tokens to LP pools—are being taken seriously.
Improvements are underway, but CZ acknowledges catching up won’t happen overnight.
👉 See how leading Web3 wallets are redefining user experience in 2025.
To New Builders: Passion + Persistence = Success
For aspiring entrepreneurs, CZ offered two timeless principles:
- Do what you truly love.
- Have persistence.
“Whether you're building in bull or bear markets, success comes down to whether you can keep going when things get hard.”
He discouraged chasing quick wins through token launches.
“Don’t rush to issue a token. If you haven’t found product-market fit, wait. Build first.”
Instead, teams serious about long-term growth should seek institutional partnerships—like those offered through YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs)—where funding aligns with sustainable development goals.
VC isn’t dead—it just needs reform.
Long-term holders of projects like Luna and Terra prove that responsible investment exists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is HODLing still a viable strategy in today’s market?
A: Yes—but only for assets with strong fundamentals. Blindly holding thousands of tokens increases risk. Focus on projects with real users, revenue, and clear roadmaps.
Q: Can any token outperform Bitcoin long-term?
A: Yes. Ethereum has done so historically; BNB has also outperformed BTC and ETH over certain periods. However, Bitcoin remains a foundational store of value.
Q: Are memecoins sustainable or just speculative bubbles?
A: Most are short-lived. While some succeed due to strong IP and community management (e.g., Dogecoin), the lack of product-first development makes long-term viability rare.
Q: How can governments benefit from blockchain beyond crypto trading?
A: Through decentralized identity (DID), land registries, healthcare data management, visa processing, and anti-corruption systems—making public services more efficient and transparent.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge facing BNB Chain today?
A: Relevance during fast-moving trends like memecoins. To stay competitive, BNB Chain must accelerate innovation in infrastructure, DeFi, AI, and cross-chain interoperability.
Q: Should new projects launch a token immediately?
A: Not necessarily. CZ advises waiting until product-market fit is proven. Early fundraising via institutional partners is often more effective than premature token issuance.
Final Thoughts: Building the Future Together
CZ ended with a powerful message:
“Focus on fundamentals. Keep BUIDLing.”
In a world distracted by memes and quick profits, his call to action stands firm:
True progress comes from solving real problems, serving real users, and building with purpose.
Whether through education reform, government collaboration, or empowering honest developers—the path forward is clear.
👉 Start building your future in Web3 with tools trusted by millions.