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In an interview with The National, Changpeng Zhao described the UAE as the most crypto-friendly place on the planet citing its calibrated regulatory approach that balances innovation with consumer protection. He highlighted the country’s forward-thinking leadership and substantial room for experimentation as core strengths that set it apart. Zhao who first set up operations in the UAE in 2021 added that infrastructure safety and vision made the country a prime destination encouraging every crypto business to consider relocating there.
The UAE has developed one of the world’s leading digital asset frameworks through the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority in Dubai and the parallel system at Abu Dhabi Global Market according to regulatory overviews. A review published by 99Bitcoins noted that the emirates had licensed more than 20 virtual asset service providers by 2022 with thousands of blockchain firms operating in Dubai the following year. These structures have drawn institutional players by offering legal certainty without excessive bureaucracy the assessment found.
Binance secured a virtual asset license from Dubai’s authority in March 2022 enabling it to offer services to sophisticated investors the company said in a statement at the time. The exchange gained full authorisation for its global platform from Abu Dhabi Global Market in December 2025 with regulated activities commencing in January 2026 according to subsequent filings. A $2 billion investment from Abu Dhabi’s MGX in March 2025 further strengthened ties the firm reported.
Zhao contrasted the UAE’s progress with regulatory decisions in the United States stating that America had handed over its crown as the centre for money through its own choices. He pointed to the Emirates’ shift away from oil toward blockchain and artificial intelligence as positioning it first in the world for financial innovation in remarks covered by The National. The founder made the comments while promoting his memoir Freedom of Money following his presidential pardon in October 2025.
Available figures cited in a 99Bitcoins analysis place the UAE’s Bitcoin holdings at around $40 billion exceeding the US government’s approximate $20 billion. This accumulation aligns with broader adoption supported by regulatory clarity that has sustained market growth amid global trends. Binance co-CEO Richard Teng has described the country as at the forefront of a transformative era in finance according to event coverage.
Zhao also addressed Bitcoin’s adherence to its four-year cycle noting a drop to about $60,000 early in 2026 before a recovery toward $80,000 in the second quarter. He attributed slower rebounds to the need for greater institutional participation and wider use cases. The executive further outlined his post-prison focus on long-term projects including Giggle Academy which has reached roughly 200,000 children through its free education platform.
