Binance founder CZ talks with Sam Altman about exploring AI investments

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) appears to be eyeing investing in artificial intelligence-focused data centers as part of his exploration of new investment opportunities.

Despite facing the potential risk of three years in prison for allowing various money laundering schemes on his exchange, former Binance boss Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has reportedly held multiple discussions with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to explore ways to New Venture Capital. The New York Times was informed of the situation, citing people familiar with the matter.

Details of Zhao’s discussions with Altman are unclear, with sources saying only that the former Binance head was particularly interested in artificial intelligence. According to reports, Zhao first met with Altman in 2023, before he resigned as CEO of Binance. People familiar with the matter said Zhao and Altman had another round of discussions after OpenAI’s leadership change in late November.

During a meeting in December 2023, Changpeng Zhao confirmed to Ronghui Gu, a professor of computer science at Columbia University, that he had communicated with Sam Altman. In an interview with the New York Times, Gu said that both Changpeng Zhao and Altman believed that artificial intelligence would be of great help in realizing the development of technology and human knowledge. This shows that both industry leaders share a positive view of the potential of AI technology and may be exploring cooperation opportunities to promote the application and development of AI in different fields.

Ronghui Gu also added that Binance founder Changpeng Zhao mentioned in a meeting that he was “looking for opportunities” to invest in the large data centers that power artificial intelligence applications. Although the specific target that Changpeng Zhao prefers to invest in (whether it is OpenAI or its competitors) is currently unclear, it shows that Changpeng Zhao is open to investment in the field of artificial intelligence and is optimistic about the future development potential of AI technology. Such investments may be intended to advance the development of AI technology and may include building infrastructure that provides the necessary computing power to run AI algorithms.

In an X post in November 2023, Changpeng Zhao publicly discussed his plans following his legal issues and mentioned his interest in investing in Web3, decentralized finance, and artificial intelligence. This shows that despite facing legal challenges, Changpeng Zhao still has a forward-looking investment perspective on emerging technologies and innovation areas, and is considering shifting his focus to these industries that have the potential to change the future financial and technological landscape. By mentioning Web3 and decentralized finance, Changpeng Zhao may be considering how to apply the decentralized features of blockchain technology to a wider range of financial scenarios. At the same time, his interest in artificial intelligence may point to efficient data processing, Investment opportunities in areas such as algorithmic trading or smart contracts.

Changpeng Zhao said: “After that, my current consideration is that I may make some passive investments and become a minority equity/token holder in startups in the blockchain/Web3/DeFi, artificial intelligence and biotechnology fields.” It reflects that even while dealing with legal affairs, Changpeng Zhao is still planning his future investment direction, focusing on technological innovation and cutting-edge fields. By becoming a minority shareholder or token holder in these businesses, he may seek to support and promote growth and innovation in these areas through equity investments while generating potential financial returns for himself.

Meanwhile, U.S. prosecutors are seeking a 36-month prison sentence for Zhao, citing the seriousness of the crimes he is accused of. Prosecutors believe such a punishment would serve as a deterrent to prevent Zhao and others from flouting U.S. laws for financial gain. Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to charges of violating the Bank Secrecy Act in November 2023 and is currently awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for April 30. Although he is currently free on $175 million bail, his request to travel to Dubai was denied by a U.S. judge over concerns about his vast wealth and potential flight risk. The incident shows that despite Changpeng Zhao's vast financial resources, his personal freedoms are still limited and he must face the uncertainty of legal consequences.

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