- Binance founder CZ revealed the harsh reality of his prison stint, including sharing a cell with a double murderer and living in constant fear.
- Despite his fame, he received no special treatment and faced mental stress throughout his four-month sentence.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, has broken his silence on his harrowing time behind bars — and the details are far from the image of a white-collar prison stint. In a candid interview on Farokh Radio, CZ opened up about the intense psychological and emotional toll of his four-month incarceration in the U.S., describing an experience marked by fear, anonymity, and the stark reality of prison life.
CZ’s legal troubles began in November 2023 when he and Binance Founder CZ Opens Up About Prison Life with Double-Murder Cellmate: “No One Cares” Founder CZ Opens Up About Prison Life with Double-Murder Cellmate: “No One Cares” pleaded guilty to charges involving money laundering and regulatory breaches. The crypto giant agreed to pay over $4.3 billion in penalties, and CZ, initially facing a potential three-year sentence, had his time reduced after legal arguments downplayed his personal involvement in the violations.
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Still, the time served was anything but easy.
“My first cellmate was a double murderer,” CZ revealed. “Once you’re in there, no one cares who you are. They just treat you like anyone else.”
Despite his fame in the crypto world, CZ said prison stripped away all status. Guards and inmates alike had no clue who he was, and he received no special treatment. In fact, because of his non-U.S. citizenship, he was placed in a low-security prison — a step up in severity compared to the minimum-security facilities typically reserved for white-collar offenders.
From daily strip searches to sleepless nights filled with anxiety over potential sentence extensions, CZ described the ordeal as mentally grueling. “I can laugh about it now, but it’s not funny — it’s not fun at all. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone,” he said.
Even after completing his sentence, CZ’s release was delayed due to immigration protocols, forcing him to spend additional time in a detention center.
His reflections serve as a sobering look at the U.S. justice system and a rare glimpse into the human side of one of crypto’s most powerful figures. While CZ is now free, his story is a stark reminder that behind the headlines and billion-dollar settlements, prison leaves a lasting mark — regardless of who you are.
