According to the founder of Binance, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the world of crypto is on the brink of a steep upward trajectory. In a recent discussion with Farokh Radio, Zhao shared his bold prediction that Bitcoin could skyrocket to values between $500,000 and $1 million in the current cycle. Additionally, he projected that the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies could reach $5 trillion by year-end. However, he refrained from setting a specific timeframe for these estimates.
Notably, this is not the first time Zhao has suggested a seven-figure Bitcoin valuation. Earlier in February, he alluded to a potential $1 million Bitcoin value in a post on X, imagining a future scenario where Bitcoin “crashes” from $1,001,000 to $985,000. Moreover, in 2020, he hinted at a $100,000 Bitcoin price, forecasting a potential plunge from $101,000 to $85,000. This prediction ultimately came true, with Bitcoin surpassing the $100,000 mark for the first time in December 2024.
At present, Bitcoin is trading around $93,900, as per The Block’s Bitcoin price page. Its record high of $108,786 was achieved on January 20, 2025. Meanwhile, the total market cap of the crypto market is approximately $3 trillion according to CoinGecko.
In addition to price forecasts, Zhao provided insights into the future of crypto during the interview. He expressed concerns about the hype around memecoins, cautioning that most will fail and distract from genuine innovation. He emphasized the long-term potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and decentralized science (DeSci), predicting a closer integration between AI and blockchain. Furthermore, he believes cryptocurrencies will play a significant role in financing and incentivizing global scientific innovation.
The ex-CEO also lauded the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump for their supportive stance on cryptocurrency, noting the rapid shift in the regulatory environment. He also shared his belief that decentralized exchanges would eventually outgrow centralized ones, arguing that they offer different gateways to the same blockchain-powered world.
After a challenging four-month prison sentence last year, Zhao’s priorities have shifted towards health and family. Despite the hardship, he described the experience as a learning curve. He has no intention of returning as Binance CEO, instead focusing on mentoring new founders in the crypto space.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. The Block is an independent media outlet that provides news, research, and data about the crypto industry.
