CZ Predicts Bitcoin Could Hit $1 Million Amid Rising Institutional Demand

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has predicted that Bitcoin (BTC) could surge to between $500,000 and $1 million during the current market cycle, citing rising institutional interest, regulatory improvements, and growing mainstream adoption. In a recent interview, CZ pointed to the approval of Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. and increased involvement from sovereign wealth funds and traditional financial institutions as key drivers of this potential price explosion.

Although CZ did not offer a specific timeline, he emphasized that the necessary infrastructure and momentum are already in place. The conversation also delved into broader crypto trends, with CZ noting that while meme coins dominate headlines, most will likely fail. He believes long-term value lies in sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), decentralized science (DeSci), and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization—areas he sees as undervalued but rapidly gaining traction.

No longer serving as Binance CEO, CZ now plays a supportive role as a mentor and investor in decentralized technologies. He remains a major shareholder and is actively developing educational platforms to foster the next generation of crypto innovators. He also reaffirmed that while centralized exchanges remain essential for onboarding users, the long-term future of crypto trading lies in decentralized infrastructure.

Reflecting on his recent four-month prison sentence, CZ described the experience as a personal turning point that shifted his focus toward health, family, and long-term impact rather than public leadership or day-to-day business operations.

CZ's bullish Bitcoin outlook, combined with his belief in emerging blockchain sectors and decentralized systems, highlights his continued influence on the evolving crypto landscape—even from behind the scenes. With BTC nearing all-time highs and institutional momentum building, CZ’s prediction is sparking renewed debate in the market.