Haciyev Reşit 
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) shared striking assessments about the future of Bitcoin. Speaking in an exclusive interview with CNBC in Davos during the World Economic Forum, Zhao delivered important messages about both his personal journey and Bitcoin’s long-term price dynamics. His emphasis on a potential “super cycle” in 2026 resonated widely across the crypto market.
First Statements After the Trump Pardon
Changpeng Zhao was convicted in 2023 for violating anti–money laundering laws and received a prison sentence. Pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump in October 2025, Zhao described the impact of this development on his life with the following words:
“I was free before, but I was a convicted person. Now, I’m truly a free man.”
Zhao said he does not fully know how the pardon process unfolded and initially had not even considered applying for a pardon. After media reports, he filed an application through his lawyers in March 2025, emphasizing that he never had direct contact with Trump.
CZ also spoke about his time in prison, noting that his first cellmate was a convicted murderer who had spent many years behind bars. Describing the prison intake procedures as “brutal,” Zhao said that scenes depicted in movies are quite close to reality. Since then, he has been focusing more on philanthropy and education projects, revealing that he is working on a free education platform called Giggle Academy.
Bitcoin and Investment Strategy
Changpeng Zhao stressed that he does not engage in active trading and holds only Bitcoin and BNB in his portfolio. He admitted that he tried short-term trading in the past but lost money, eventually realizing that his real strengths lie not in trading, but in product development and technology. He summed up this mindset by saying:
“I’m a builder, not a trader.”
According to Zhao, predicting Bitcoin’s short-term price movements is nearly impossible due to the many variables affecting the market. However, from a long-term perspective, he believes Bitcoin offers a more predictable trajectory thanks to its fundamentals and growing adoption.
“There’s a Super Cycle Feeling for Bitcoin in 2026”
CZ’s most notable remarks centered on Bitcoin’s long-term cycle. Zhao reminded that Bitcoin has historically followed four-year cycles, marked by new highs followed by corrections. However, he argued that current conditions could change this pattern:
“I can’t say for certain, but there’s a strong feeling that Bitcoin could enter a super cycle in 2026.”
Zhao believes that strong support for cryptocurrencies in the U.S., along with other countries moving in a similar direction, could break the traditional four-year cycle. His statements suggest that institutional optimism about Bitcoin’s long-term potential remains robust. The possibility of a “super cycle” in 2026 once again highlights that regulation, global adoption, and macroeconomic conditions will be the key factors shaping the market’s direction.