Who is Binance's Zhao Zhao?

Speaking over video, he is affable and mild-mannered, even self-deprecating. It’s a persona that clashes with the Zhao that his rivals know best: a sharp-elbowed executive who built Binance into the biggest and most influential cryptocurrency exchange in the world. He is used to appearing in different guises.

What does CZ stand for in crypto?

Zhao adopted his current moniker, CZ—by which he is universally known today—only after entering the crypto world. Zhao says that he earlier tried going by “CP,” but ditched the name after online pals told him it was shorthand for “cchild porn” on the illegal marketplace Silk Road.

Why is Zhao called CZ?

Zhao’s high school friend Ted Lin says the name likely caught on because many at the school struggled to pronounce “Changpeng.” Zhao adopted his current moniker, CZ—by which he is universally known today—only after entering the crypto world.

Is Binance a black box?

Though its finances remain a black box, blockchain data shows Binance has gained market share from rivals in recent months, and its trading volume is up—and presumably its revenue as well—because of a rebound in the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.