Binance Founder CZ Says Crypto Will Be AI Era’s Core Currency, Sees Bigger Role for BNB Chain

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, said cryptocurrencies will become a key payment method in the age of artificial intelligence and expressed hope that BNB Chain will play a bigger role.

The Block reported on October 26 that Zhao made the remarks at a press briefing after BNB Standard’s opening bell ceremony at Nasdaq in the US the previous day. “Crypto will be the native currency for AI,” he said.

Zhao said AI could use not only Bitcoin and existing stablecoins for payments, but also tokens issued by AI companies in the future. He said he hopes BNB Chain becomes a major network for those transactions, though challenges remain before that can happen.

He also mentioned introducing tokens tied to computing resources on BNB Chain. He did not disclose specific business plans or a launch timeline.

BNB Standard, which participated in the event, is a Nasdaq-listed company that changed its name from CEA Industries. It currently holds more than 515,400 BNB worth about $383.5 million and is known as the listed company with the largest BNB holdings.

Chief Executive Officer Alex Odagiu said the company plans to go beyond simply holding BNB and build blockchain-based businesses. It will first operate its own validator and later expand into payments and AI agents.

Zhao also stressed that crypto payments need to become easier to use. He said he tries to make as many payments as possible in crypto, but the process is still cumbersome. He added that startups should target underbanked markets and cross-border remittances first rather than compete directly with Apple Pay and Google Pay in the US.

Separately, BNB Standard resolved a management dispute with its largest shareholder, YZi Labs, in June and overhauled its board. The company’s shares traded at about $5.36 on October 26 and were down about 17% from the start of the year.