Share this article
Most Influential 2021: Changpeng Zhao
The Binance CEO has taken a more practical approach to regulation this year.
By CoinDesk
Updated May 11, 2023, 4:31 p.m. Published Dec 10, 2021, 8:22 p.m.
Make us preferred on Google
Changpeng Zhao (often simply called “CZ”) may be the world’s richest person. As founder of cryptocurrency behemoth Binance, he’s not only the largest shareholder in the world’s most active crypto exchange, but has also had the opportunity to amass a significant binance coin and bitcoin position. Binance, founded in 2017 and currently without a legal headquarters, is estimated to be worth $300 billion and has few outside investors. After years of resisting legal scrutiny, CZ has taken steps this year to work with regulators for all corners of the world.
Inevitable: Binance published a list of “fundamental” crypto rights – including the ability to self-custody, data privacy and reliable security – that ought to apply to all people living through this seismic technological and economic revolution. The final point made in this crypto constitution reads, “Regulation is inevitable.”
The Complete List: CoinDesk’s Most Influential 2021
More For You
Pudgy Penguins is building a multi-vertical consumer IP platform — combining phygital products, games, NFTs and PENGU to monetize culture at scale.
What to know:
Pudgy Penguins is emerging as one of the strongest NFT-native brands of this cycle, shifting from speculative “digital luxury goods” into a multi-vertical consumer IP platform. Its strategy is to acquire users through mainstream channels first; toys, retail partnerships and viral media, then onboard them into Web3 through games, NFTs and the PENGU token.
The ecosystem now spans phygital products (> $13M retail sales and >1M units sold), games and experiences (Pudgy Party surpassed 500k downloads in two weeks), and a widely distributed token (airdropped to 6M+ wallets). While the market is currently pricing Pudgy at a premium relative to traditional IP peers, sustained success depends on execution across retail expansion, gaming adoption and deeper token utility.
More For You
Tether is buying up to $1 billion of gold per month and storing it in a 'James Bond' bunker
The company's gold purchases are mostly for its own reserves, but also support its XAUT stablecoin.
What to know:
- Tether is buying up to two tons of gold weekly and has amassed a 140-ton stockpile worth about $24 billion, becoming one of the largest non-governmental holders.
- The company's gold purchases are mostly for its own reserves, but also support its XAUT stablecoin.
- Gold prices have surged by more than 90% year-over-year, with Tether's buying potentially influencing the market alongside central bank purchases.
Top Stories
