According to Fortune magazine, CZ is set to make his first appearance as a free man in Long Beach, California, on September 27 local time. In April of this year, he agreed to return to the U.S. after being sentenced to five months in prison for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering measures at Binance, the cryptocurrency exchange he founded.
During his incarceration, CZ spent about two months in a low-security prison before being transferred to a transitional facility in Long Beach, where he was allowed to go out under supervision and enjoy some recreational activities. Now, CZ has returned to society with an estimated net worth of $60 billion, ranking him as the 25th richest person in the world. His legal troubles are resolved, and his options for the future have expanded.
Although CZ has not made any direct comments regarding his plans, his lawyer stated that he is unwilling to give interviews on the day of his release. Given the current circumstances, we can reasonably speculate on his next steps. On Friday, he may take a driver-driven car to a private jet in Long Beach or Los Angeles, with his first stop potentially being Dubai or Paris, where his children reside with their mother, He Yi (co-founder of Binance and CZ's former partner).
After regaining his freedom, CZ may spend more time with his family, including his sister, son, and mother, to make up for lost time. The support from his family played a crucial role in his sentencing, helping him secure a relatively lenient term. The judge also noted CZ’s commitment to global charitable efforts, although he has yet to translate these commitments into concrete actions.
Before his imprisonment, CZ launched the "Giggle Academy" project, aimed at providing free and engaging learning tools for children worldwide. While the project is still in its early stages, it may gradually develop in the future.
In addition to family and charity, CZ may also refocus on the cryptocurrency industry. However, under the terms of his criminal settlement, he must step down as CEO of Binance and refrain from the company’s daily operations. Nonetheless, CZ remains the largest shareholder of Binance, allowing him to maintain some influence over the company’s future developments. A Binance spokesperson welcomed this, expressing anticipation for his next steps.
At only 47 years old, CZ is in the prime of his career, and his influence in the cryptocurrency and business sectors remains a point of interest in the coming years.
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