 highlights Vitalik Buterin’s revolutionary impact on crypto, crediting him for key innovations like smart contracts, NFTs, and more.){kind=link}
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance, has publicly praised Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin for his revolutionary contributions to the cryptocurrency industry.
In a recent social media discussion, CZ highlighted the significance of Vitalik’s innovations, including smart contracts, ERC-20 tokens, NFTs, Soulbound Tokens (SBTs), and Layer 2 scaling solutions.
He credited these advancements as key elements that allowed the crypto market to grow into what it is today.
While CZ himself has been instrumental in the mass adoption of cryptocurrency through Binance, he humbly referred to himself as just an “ordinary person” still learning, emphasizing that Vitalik’s early innovations laid the foundation for much of the ecosystem’s development.
CZ Reflects on Ethereum’s Early Days and His Missed Investment Opportunity
When asked about his personal holdings in Ethereum (ETH), CZ revealed that he does not have any significant amounts, though he acknowledged that he may still have small holdings in old wallets.
He reflected on Ethereum’s early days, recalling that Binance’s own native token, BNB, originally launched as an ERC-20 token and required ETH for gas fees.
Despite his early exposure to Ethereum’s potential, CZ admitted that he largely “missed the ETH train,” an acknowledgment of how even key figures in the industry can overlook major investment opportunities.
His reflections underscore the unpredictable nature of crypto markets, where early insight does not always translate into investment decisions.
CZ Recalls His First Encounters with Vitalik Buterin and Ethereum’s Early Development
CZ’s relationship with Vitalik Buterin dates back to 2013 when they first met at a Bitcoin conference.
He recalled learning about Ethereum’s initial coin offering (ICO) in 2014 and even hosting Vitalik at his small apartment in Tokyo in 2015.
During that meeting, CZ was skeptical about Ethereum’s ambitious goal of implementing a Turing-complete programming language on the blockchain.
He admitted that he had once given Vitalik what he now considers “arrogant” advice, questioning whether such an idea was even feasible.
However, Vitalik’s confidence in his vision—responding with a simple “It can be done”—ultimately proved correct.
Ethereum went on to become the second-largest cryptocurrency in the world, fundamentally reshaping the industry and proving CZ’s initial doubts wrong.
A Missed Opportunity That Led to Binance’s Creation and Market Guidance Amid Volatility
Although CZ missed out on Ethereum’s early success, he believes that had he heavily invested in ETH, he may not have had the motivation to build Binance or launch BNB.
His journey led him to create one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, while Ethereum cemented Vitalik’s legacy as a pioneer of decentralized finance (DeFi).
Meanwhile, as the crypto market faces turbulence, CZ has continued to provide guidance, urging investors to exercise caution amid market dips.
Earlier, with Bitcoin dropping below $80,000, he has advised traders to manage their investments wisely and remain calm during downturns.
Additionally, CZ has distanced himself from speculation regarding meme coins, reinforcing his long-term approach to crypto rather than chasing quick profits.
His reflections serve as a reminder that different paths can lead to success in the rapidly evolving digital asset space.
Also Read: Binance Founder CZ Reacts to On-Chain Speculations By Stating He Has Never Purchased a Meme Coin