Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has released a new book called Freedom of Money. The 364 page book gives a personal look at his life. Including his rise in crypto and the challenges he faced along the way. The co-founder of Binance says he wrote the book to share his side of the story.
🚨LATEST: CZ WROTE A BOOK AND HE IS NOT HOLDING BACK ONE BIT
Changpeng “CZ” Zhao (@cz_binance), co-founder of Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, has released a 364-page autobiography titled Freedom of Money.
The autobiography revisits the founding of Binance in 2017… pic.twitter.com/60Ghn5x7aD
— BSCN (@BSCNews) April 8, 2026
He believes much of his journey has been misunderstood or told without context. So, this memoir aims to fill those gaps. It shows the human side behind the headlines. The book is already live in some countries and is rolling out worldwide. CZ also said that all money earned from the book will go to charity.
From Humble Beginnings to Tech Career
CZ’s story starts far from the crypto world. He grew up in a small village in China. His family later moved to Vancouver when he was young. He worked small jobs during his early years in Canada. He flipped burgers, washed dishes and worked night shifts at gas stations. While he focused on school and sports. He eventually discovered computers. That moment changed everything. He shifted his studies toward computer science and started building his technical skills.
Later, he joined Bloomberg as a developer. There, he quickly moved up the ranks. By his mid 20s, he was managing large teams and working on trading systems. He still felt something was missing. So he quit a high paying job to go after new opportunities in Asia.
Discovering Bitcoin and Building Binance
CZ’s life took a major turn when he first heard about Bitcoin during a casual conversation. He made his first investment soon after. He believed strongly in the technology. In fact, he sold his apartment to invest more in Bitcoin. Even after the market crashed during the Mt. Gox collapse, he did not sell. Over time, he gained experience working at crypto companies. These roles helped him understand how exchanges operate.
Then in 2017 he launched Binance with a small team. What followed was rapid growth. Within a short time, Binance became the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume. The book shares behind the scenes moments from this journey. It explains how key decisions were made and how the team handled pressure during fast growth.
Legal Troubles and Personal Reflections
But the story is not just about success. CZ also addresses the legal challenges he faced. He writes about investigations by U.S. regulators and the case related to compliance issues. Binance later paid a large fine and CZ himself faced penalties. He also spent time in prison.
In the book, CZ explains his decisions during this period. He says these moments were tough but important. They taught him lessons about responsibility and decisions. He also explains that the case was about compliance issues, not fraud. Still, the experience changed his life.
More Than Just a Crypto Story
Freedom of Money is not only about Binance. It is about life. Changpeng Zhao (CZ) shares simple lessons. He talks about working hard, staying focused and taking risks. He also says that showing up and not giving up matter a lot. The book also includes a foreword by Yi He, who worked with him for many years.
In the end, Freedom of Money feels personal. For readers, it offers a simple message. Big success often comes with big challenges. It reminds us that behind every big name. There is a real person with struggles, choices and a story worth telling.
