Richard Teng "Virtual assets, becoming global financial infrastructure…AI integration opens the future" [BBW 2025]

Stablecoin·On-chain financial metrics rapid growth

Expanded regulatory clarity across countries…competitive adoption phase

Binance strengthens user protection…announces 'Binance Junior'

Yi He as co-CEO…doing best to secure 1 billion users

Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, said that with the rapid growth of stablecoins and increasing regulatory clarity, virtual assets are quickly being incorporated into global financial infrastructure, and that the combination of AI and blockchain will reshape the entire financial industry.

On the main stage of Binance Blockchain Week 2025 (BBW2025) held on the 3rd (local time) at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, Richard Teng said, "Virtual assets and stablecoins are becoming a new standard for moving funds without the constraints of borders and time."

This year, the stablecoin market recorded all-time highs in key indicators, with issuance size and number of holding wallets each increasing by 50%. Daily trading volume has already surpassed Visa, and annual payment volume also exceeded 10 billion, solidifying its position as a global payments foundation. Richard Teng said, "Virtual assets are no longer merely speculative instruments but are functioning as actual infrastructure layers."

Expansion of on-chain finance was also notable. Spot trading volume on centralized exchanges is expected to reach a four-year high, and perpetual DEX trading volume recorded 1.3 trillion during October. He evaluated, "On-chain derivatives are moving from a niche market to fully mainstream."

Policy changes across countries are accelerating. Richard Teng said, "Now the world has moved from questioning the necessity of virtual assets to adopting concrete policies on how to support and regulate them." He added that the U.S. is also reorganizing away from a hardline stance toward aiming to become a global virtual asset hub. He also mentioned Bhutan's case of introducing a national-level cryptocurrency payment system as the world's first, saying, "Even a small country is building future financial infrastructure through very strategic approaches."

Binance's growth was also presented. Binance currently has nearly 300 million users worldwide, and this year Binance Pay merchants surged from 12,000 to 21 million. Total processing volume also exceeded 272 billion dollars, expanding its presence as a global payments network. Richard Teng said, "We have been able to grow thanks to the users who trusted us."

User protection was also cited as a core strategy. During 2025, Binance's security team proactively blocked approximately 7 billion in potential fraud and damage. He emphasized, "Responsible growth is the only way to build long-term trust in the industry."

AI-based innovation was also mentioned as an important pillar. Richard Teng said, "Blockchain and AI are core technologies that will constitute the entire financial industry going forward," and said they will roll out various AI-based features and tools to simplify user experience. Alongside this, Binance unveiled a digital financial literacy platform for children and teenagers, 'Binance Junior.' The service is designed to allow minors aged 6 to 17 to learn and experience digital finance under parental controls.

He also announced that Binance co-founder Yi He has been appointed co-CEO, explaining it as "a natural extension of leadership that has built Binance's culture and user-centric philosophy."

Richard Teng said, "The virtual asset industry is growing around three pillars: regulatory clarity, technological advancement, and global adoption," and added, "We will continue to move forward toward the goal of securing 1 billion users worldwide."