CZ skips NFTs, chooses Amazon for book launch
Changpeng Zhao (CZ) launched his autobiography, and one factor stood out to components of the crypto neighborhood; it wasn’t very “crypto.” It had no $NFT tie-in, no token-gated entry, and no on-chain experiment, however simply Amazon.
This determination caught the eye of Colin Wu, and he questioned why one in all crypto’s largest figures would select such a standard route. He argued that the ebook might have supported crypto funds or included a soulbound $NFT for patrons on the very least. Wu feels there might be one thing that might align extra carefully with Web3 rules.
CZ defends Amazon launch
Wu, in an X put up, pointed to Vitalik Buterin’s 2022 ebook Proof of Stake. Its launch took a really totally different path. Its launch allowed readers to donate Ether to obtain a digital copy, paired with an $NFT. Nonetheless, the proceeds (together with royalties) from the gross sales went towards Gitcoin Grants. This grew to become an early instance of how publishing might slot in with crypto-linked distribution.
In that context, CZ’s method felt unusually conservative. In the meantime, Zhao had dismissed the concept that there was something deeper behind the selection.
“It’s not that difficult,” he wrote. “You don’t have to boost a cow simply to drink milk.” He added that he has all the time purchased books on Amazon. He implied that constructing a customized crypto-based distribution system only for one launch didn’t make a lot sense. CZ talked about that he hopes folks outdoors the crypto business might simply purchase and skim it. Appears just like the objective was accessibility.
没那么复杂。喝牛奶不一定要养奶牛。我一直在亚马逊买书。电商不是我们的专长。为了一本书自己搞个买书的功能好像有点麻烦。另外希望非加密行业的也能容易买到。
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) April 8, 2026
In one other put up, Wu went in with the thought of a standard launch as a crypto looped launch might introduce many issues. He acknowledged that CZ would possibly need to use a extra prudent, safer issuance technique that avoids all types of tax points.
CZ’s ebook exposes his authorized fights
In response to Wu, CZ’s ebook presents a extra private and at instances blunt have a look at his journey. He described it as crammed with robust opinions. It appears like Binance founder hates Zhou Wei (former CFO), Lao Xu, SBF, media, and attorneys. Nonetheless, he praised He Yi and Heina whereas he barely talked about Solar Ge in any respect.
The authorized chapters turn into main factors within the ebook. CZ stated that when he was beneath investigation by the US authorities, he employed numerous attorneys, which break the bank. These attorneys began combating amongst themselves.
At one level, he stated, one lawyer even instructed him that the extra fines they paid, the higher. That is how they ended up paying billions of {dollars} in fines. Ultimately, the decide identified that they’ve paid so many fines, which proves that crimes should be extraordinarily severe. This left CZ completely floored.
CZ has described his time in custody in stark element. Wu famous that Zhao defined that the jail was noisy from morning until evening, which made it unimaginable for him to sleep in any respect. He went on so as to add that within the last 14 days, CZ was abruptly transferred to a detention heart and thought he was going to be held indefinitely.
In response to Wu’s retelling, the detention heart had solely 24-hour unflinching white incandescent lights. Zhao relied on silently calculating Bitcoin’s hash algorithm in his thoughts to remain sane.
Zhao stepped down as CEO of Binance after pleading responsible to US cash laundering violations. The corporate agreed to a $4.3 billion settlement. Nonetheless, he later acquired a pardon from Donald Trump. This transfer nonetheless stays debatable within the political view.
Since then, the worldwide crypto business has seen many ups and downs. The cumulative digital belongings market cap hovers round $2.41 trillion. Bitcoin worth jumped by greater than 6% over the past 7 days. BTC is buying and selling round $71,000 on the press time.
