In his first public appearance since a four-month prison sentence, Binance's co-founder and former CEO, Zhao Changpeng (CZ), expressed no desire to return to the CEO position, even if permitted under his plea agreement with U.S. authorities. Speaking at the Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai, he reflected on his time in prison as a period of introspection, emphasizing a renewed appreciation for life and relationships. Although he faced charges related to anti-money laundering violations, CZ described his experience as pivotal, accepting it as part of his journey and indicating he felt relieved not to be managing the exchange anymore. He clarified that there is no permanent ban preventing him from working at Binance, but reiterated his focus on new initiatives like Giggle Academy, aimed at providing education. Despite his absence from day-to-day operations, he remains a significant shareholder and continues to maintain an optimistic outlook on the cryptocurrency market. CZ also expressed his commitment to investing in technological advancements, including blockchain and AI.