Haciyev Reşit 
Although crypto markets have attracted massive interest in recent years, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) believes the sector is still at a very early stage. CZ’s latest remarks suggest that the current size of the crypto ecosystem can be misleading and that the real growth has yet to begin. This assessment, shared by Watcher.Guru, quickly sparked wide discussion within the crypto community.
“This Is Just the Beginning”
CZ describes crypto’s current state as the first phase of a global transformation. According to him, blockchain technology has not yet been fully adopted across areas such as payment systems, finance, governance, and digital ownership. For this reason, today’s prices and market valuations represent early-stage movements rather than a peak.
“The crypto market is still very small. The real potential hasn’t been discovered yet.”
— Changpeng Zhao (CZ)
This perspective resonates particularly with long-term investors, reinforcing the idea that crypto has not yet entered its true growth curve.
How Small Is the Crypto Market Really?
As of January 4, 2026, the total crypto market capitalization stands at around $3.11 trillion. While this may seem large at first glance, it represents only about 3% of the total value of global equity markets, which exceed $110 trillion. The majority of global capital remains concentrated in traditional assets such as stocks, bonds, and real estate. This comparison clearly explains why CZ describes crypto as “small, but with enormous potential.”
Although CZ stepped down as Binance CEO in 2023, he continues to wield significant influence in the crypto industry. With more than 10 million followers, his statements still carry weight among both retail and institutional investors. As the founder of the world’s largest crypto exchange, his views remain a key reference point for the market.
Institutional Interest and Regulatory Progress
Institutional involvement has started to increase through ETFs, custody services, and on-chain financial products. However, crypto assets still account for only a small portion of traditional portfolios. Greater regulatory clarity and stronger infrastructure are expected to gradually increase this share. At the same time, advances in scalability, privacy, and interoperability across blockchain networks are paving the way for broader mainstream adoption.
Despite its volatility, risk, and speculative nature, the overall trajectory of the crypto market points toward growth and global integration. CZ’s emphasis on the market being “small” encourages a focus on long-term structural developments rather than short-term price movements. The fact that blockchain adoption is still in its early stages clearly highlights why crypto continues to offer significant long-term potential.
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