In this in-depth dialogue with the Hong Kong community, CZ openly addressed the developmental bottlenecks of BNB Chain, the controversies surrounding meme coins, and his vision for a "healthy ecosystem" in the industry. He emphasized the need to "balance fast money and slow money," outlining a survival strategy for investors that balances risk and opportunity.

CZ's Fireside Chat: The HODL Strategy Challenged, Survival Rules in a Volatile Market

On the evening of April 6, CZ made a surprise appearance at the BNB Chain Super Meetup in Hong Kong, engaging in a candid fireside chat with community representative "Master Brother from Australia." Confronting the current industry landscape—marked by meme coin mania, ideological divides, and market volatility—CZ bluntly stated, "Chasing meme coins shouldn’t be the only thing in crypto."

"IF You can’t hold, You won’t be rich." This iconic mantra from Binance founder CZ once influenced countless investors. Yet, in this new cycle, the HODL strategy appears to be under scrutiny. During this deep-dive conversation with the Hong Kong community, CZ publicly dissected BNB Chain’s growth challenges, the community debates around meme coins, and his hopes for a "healthy ecosystem." He stressed the need to "balance fast money and slow money," offering investors a survival guide that navigates both risk and opportunity.

---

Master Brother from Australia: I’ve known CZ online for years, but this is my first time meeting him in person—a true "online friends turned real-life" moment. I go by Master Brother from Australia, and I entered the industry after moving to Australia in 2016. One of the best decisions I’ve made in crypto was joining Binance early on, participating in its ICO, and holding its tokens ever since. So, it’s an honor to represent the community in this interview today.

I’ve collected many questions from the community, though I haven’t had time to organize them all… Given our limited time, I’ll try to pick some of the more provocative ones.

Master Brother from Australia: First off, many people feel this cycle is very different. Whether it’s the gradual decline of VC-backed coins, the rise of meme coins, or even Donald Trump’s endorsement of crypto, there seems to be a crisis of faith. So, CZ, how do you view the current market?

CZ: Let me ask first—how many of you are here chasing meme coins? (*Many raise their hands*). Well, I might upset some of you with what I’m about to say: Chasing meme coins is fine, but it shouldn’t be the only thing in crypto. The current meme coin frenzy isn’t healthy for the industry.

The industry needs both people chasing quick gains and long-term builders. But right now, all the attention is on meme coins, leaving those builders in the shadows. Even meme coin traders are frustrated because not every coin delivers 10x or 100x returns overnight. Exchanges don’t know which coins to list, and the community feels unbalanced. We need a breakthrough.

Master Brother from Australia: Have you found a solution yet?

CZ: It’s a process, not an overnight fix. For us, the long-term focus is on supporting builders. Real growth comes from real users, real revenue, and real profits—where everyone benefits, and token prices stabilize sustainably. There should be room for both fast and slow money, but right now, slow-money builders aren’t getting enough support. That’s why we launched MVB and are investing in projects. I’ve also been personally engaging with builders.

---

Master Brother from Australia: I consider myself a "HODLer." Many of us took your early advice to heart—especially your quote, "IF You can’t hold, You won’t be rich." My friends and I treated it as gospel, and it paid off in past cycles. But this cycle, we’ve been punished. Do you still believe in HODLing?

CZ: It depends on the token’s fundamentals. You can’t just HODL every one of the millions of coins out there—most will eventually go to zero. But for projects with solid fundamentals and real utility, holding long-term makes sense.

Master Brother from Australia: So besides Bitcoin, are there other projects that could outperform it?

CZ: Quite a few have already outperformed Bitcoin. Ethereum, for instance, has beaten Bitcoin since its inception (though holders might not be happy right now). BNB has also outperformed both Bitcoin and Ethereum since their respective launches (*CZ clarifies he’s comparing post-launch performance, not against Bitcoin’s original price*). That said, Bitcoin is now a reserve asset—it will appreciate long-term. Still, dozens, maybe even hundreds, of coins could outperform it.

Master Brother from Australia: That’s more than I expected—I thought maybe just a handful?

CZ: Bitcoin’s market cap is so large that another 100x surge is unlikely. But fundamentally strong projects can outperform it temporarily. The key is having the insight to spot them and the patience to hold.

---

Master Brother from Australia: What’s your outlook for BNB? Some articles predict it could surpass $3,000.

CZ: That was probably Hash Global—they’ve been long-term supporters, predicting $40 when BNB was at $6, $140 at $40, and now $1,000. Their research might be deeper than ours. Ultimately, the market decides BNB’s value. Our focus is expanding its utility—whether on centralized exchanges, DEXs, or other chains. More use cases mean higher value. We’re pushing adoption globally, both online and offline.

We’re also investing in DeFi, NFTs, and GameFi to grow BNB Chain’s ecosystem. Some countries have even approached us about adopting BNB as a recognized digital currency.

This model is viable, and progress is steady. There’s no secret—just execution and expanding utility.

Master Brother from Australia: Where do you see BNB’s price heading?

CZ: I can’t predict numbers, nor can I control them. Our job is to keep building so more people want to hold BNB.

---

Master Brother from Australia: Speaking of BNB holders, there’s a saying that "BNB whales are retirees"—they get hefty rewards from new listings, then dump, leaving retail investors holding the bag. Isn’t that problematic?

CZ: More BNB holders are better—even "retirees." BNB’s supply is limited, so broader holding strengthens the ecosystem. Some say holders aren’t contributing, but holding is contributing. BNB’s price resilience owes much to them, so we’re grateful.

---

Master Brother from Australia: Let’s talk BNB Chain. It’s worked hard to create an "artificial bull run." Has it met your expectations?

CZ: Frankly, it’s fallen short. As Binance’s former CEO, I devoted more time to it. But BNB Chain was designed to grow organically through the community. Over the past year, my focus shifted to U.S. compliance, leaving BNB Chain underattended. That’s why it missed the meme coin wave.

Recently, BNB Chain has rebounded slightly, but there’s much more to do. Whatever the next trend is—AI, DeSci, etc.—BNB Chain won’t miss out again.

---

Master Brother from Australia: You’ve recently dabbled in meme coins. What’s your take on trends like PVP?

CZ: My meme coin experiment was a fail—it caused issues. Posting dog photos seemed fun, but it triggered a flood of copycat meme coins and PVP (player-vs-player) chaos. The community wanted me to pick winners, but that’s not my role. Meme coins thrive on hype but lack sustainability. We’ll support what the community embraces, provided it’s legal and valuable.

Will meme coins stay hot? I’m unsure. Solana’s had billion-dollar meme coins—BNB Chain hasn’t yet. But replicating that now seems tough. My focus is on being a builder, not a trader.

---

Master Brother from Australia: You’re active on Twitter. Do you take community feedback to heart?

CZ: I browse often, but it depends on my schedule. Criticism doesn’t bother me—I look for constructive points. Misinformation gets corrected, but feedback helps us improve.

---

Master Brother from Australia: Final question: Is now a good time for newcomers? How should they manage risk?

CZ: It’s never too late, but approach wisely. Research projects—don’t expect overnight riches. Start small, diversify, and use dollar-cost averaging (DCA). Stick to mainstream coins, avoid all-in bets, and embrace volatility. The industry is young; long-term potential is solid, but short-term swings are wild.

---

Master Brother from Australia: What are you reading now?

CZ: The Nvidia Way—a great book on entrepreneurship.

Master Brother from Australia: Any closing words for the community?

CZ: Focus on fundamentals and long-term building. Speculate if you must, but assess risks. Crypto is volatile—stay rational. We’ll keep investing in the ecosystem to support you.

Master Brother from Australia: Thanks, CZ! That’s a wrap.

In this in-depth dialogue with the Hong Kong community, CZ openly addressed the developmental bottlenecks of BNB Chain, the controversies surrounding meme coins, and his vision for a "healthy ecosystem" in the industry. He emphasized the need to "balance fast money and slow money," outlining a survival strategy for investors that balances risk and opportunity.

CZ's Fireside Chat: The HODL Strategy Challenged, Survival Rules in a Volatile Market

On the evening of April 6, CZ made a surprise appearance at the BNB Chain Super Meetup in Hong Kong, engaging in a candid fireside chat with community representative "Master Brother from Australia." Confronting the current industry landscape—marked by meme coin mania, ideological divides, and market volatility—CZ bluntly stated, "Chasing meme coins shouldn’t be the only thing in crypto."

"IF You can’t hold, You won’t be rich." This iconic mantra from Binance founder CZ once influenced countless investors. Yet, in this new cycle, the HODL strategy appears to be under scrutiny. During this deep-dive conversation with the Hong Kong community, CZ publicly dissected BNB Chain’s growth challenges, the community debates around meme coins, and his hopes for a "healthy ecosystem." He stressed the need to "balance fast money and slow money," offering investors a survival guide that navigates both risk and opportunity.

---

Master Brother from Australia: I’ve known CZ online for years, but this is my first time meeting him in person—a true "online friends turned real-life" moment. I go by Master Brother from Australia, and I entered the industry after moving to Australia in 2016. One of the best decisions I’ve made in crypto was joining Binance early on, participating in its ICO, and holding its tokens ever since. So, it’s an honor to represent the community in this interview today.

I’ve collected many questions from the community, though I haven’t had time to organize them all… Given our limited time, I’ll try to pick some of the more provocative ones.

Master Brother from Australia: First off, many people feel this cycle is very different. Whether it’s the gradual decline of VC-backed coins, the rise of meme coins, or even Donald Trump’s endorsement of crypto, there seems to be a crisis of faith. So, CZ, how do you view the current market?

CZ: Let me ask first—how many of you are here chasing meme coins? (*Many raise their hands*). Well, I might upset some of you with what I’m about to say: Chasing meme coins is fine, but it shouldn’t be the only thing in crypto. The current meme coin frenzy isn’t healthy for the industry.

The industry needs both people chasing quick gains and long-term builders. But right now, all the attention is on meme coins, leaving those builders in the shadows. Even meme coin traders are frustrated because not every coin delivers 10x or 100x returns overnight. Exchanges don’t know which coins to list, and the community feels unbalanced. We need a breakthrough.

Master Brother from Australia: Have you found a solution yet?

CZ: It’s a process, not an overnight fix. For us, the long-term focus is on supporting builders. Real growth comes from real users, real revenue, and real profits—where everyone benefits, and token prices stabilize sustainably. There should be room for both fast and slow money, but right now, slow-money builders aren’t getting enough support. That’s why we launched MVB and are investing in projects. I’ve also been personally engaging with builders.

---

Master Brother from Australia: I consider myself a "HODLer." Many of us took your early advice to heart—especially your quote, "IF You can’t hold, You won’t be rich." My friends and I treated it as gospel, and it paid off in past cycles. But this cycle, we’ve been punished. Do you still believe in HODLing?

CZ: It depends on the token’s fundamentals. You can’t just HODL every one of the millions of coins out there—most will eventually go to zero. But for projects with solid fundamentals and real utility, holding long-term makes sense.

Master Brother from Australia: So besides Bitcoin, are there other projects that could outperform it?

CZ: Quite a few have already outperformed Bitcoin. Ethereum, for instance, has beaten Bitcoin since its inception (though holders might not be happy right now). BNB has also outperformed both Bitcoin and Ethereum since their respective launches (*CZ clarifies he’s comparing post-launch performance, not against Bitcoin’s original price*). That said, Bitcoin is now a reserve asset—it will appreciate long-term. Still, dozens, maybe even hundreds, of coins could outperform it.

Master Brother from Australia: That’s more than I expected—I thought maybe just a handful?

CZ: Bitcoin’s market cap is so large that another 100x surge is unlikely. But fundamentally strong projects can outperform it temporarily. The key is having the insight to spot them and the patience to hold.

---

Master Brother from Australia: What’s your outlook for BNB? Some articles predict it could surpass $3,000.

CZ: That was probably Hash Global—they’ve been long-term supporters, predicting $40 when BNB was at $6, $140 at $40, and now $1,000. Their research might be deeper than ours. Ultimately, the market decides BNB’s value. Our focus is expanding its utility—whether on centralized exchanges, DEXs, or other chains. More use cases mean higher value. We’re pushing adoption globally, both online and offline.

We’re also investing in DeFi, NFTs, and GameFi to grow BNB Chain’s ecosystem. Some countries have even approached us about adopting BNB as a recognized digital currency.

This model is viable, and progress is steady. There’s no secret—just execution and expanding utility.

Master Brother from Australia: Where do you see BNB’s price heading?

CZ: I can’t predict numbers, nor can I control them. Our job is to keep building so more people want to hold BNB.

---

Master Brother from Australia: Speaking of BNB holders, there’s a saying that "BNB whales are retirees"—they get hefty rewards from new listings, then dump, leaving retail investors holding the bag. Isn’t that problematic?

CZ: More BNB holders are better—even "retirees." BNB’s supply is limited, so broader holding strengthens the ecosystem. Some say holders aren’t contributing, but holding is contributing. BNB’s price resilience owes much to them, so we’re grateful.

---

Master Brother from Australia: Let’s talk BNB Chain. It’s worked hard to create an "artificial bull run." Has it met your expectations?

CZ: Frankly, it’s fallen short. As Binance’s former CEO, I devoted more time to it. But BNB Chain was designed to grow organically through the community. Over the past year, my focus shifted to U.S. compliance, leaving BNB Chain underattended. That’s why it missed the meme coin wave.

Recently, BNB Chain has rebounded slightly, but there’s much more to do. Whatever the next trend is—AI, DeSci, etc.—BNB Chain won’t miss out again.

---

Master Brother from Australia: You’ve recently dabbled in meme coins. What’s your take on trends like PVP?

CZ: My meme coin experiment was a fail—it caused issues. Posting dog photos seemed fun, but it triggered a flood of copycat meme coins and PVP (player-vs-player) chaos. The community wanted me to pick winners, but that’s not my role. Meme coins thrive on hype but lack sustainability. We’ll support what the community embraces, provided it’s legal and valuable.

Will meme coins stay hot? I’m unsure. Solana’s had billion-dollar meme coins—BNB Chain hasn’t yet. But replicating that now seems tough. My focus is on being a builder, not a trader.

---

Master Brother from Australia: You’re active on Twitter. Do you take community feedback to heart?

CZ: I browse often, but it depends on my schedule. Criticism doesn’t bother me—I look for constructive points. Misinformation gets corrected, but feedback helps us improve.

---

Master Brother from Australia: Final question: Is now a good time for newcomers? How should they manage risk?

CZ: It’s never too late, but approach wisely. Research projects—don’t expect overnight riches. Start small, diversify, and use dollar-cost averaging (DCA). Stick to mainstream coins, avoid all-in bets, and embrace volatility. The industry is young; long-term potential is solid, but short-term swings are wild.

---

Master Brother from Australia: What are you reading now?

CZ: The Nvidia Way—a great book on entrepreneurship.

Master Brother from Australia: Any closing words for the community?

CZ: Focus on fundamentals and long-term building. Speculate if you must, but assess risks. Crypto is volatile—stay rational. We’ll keep investing in the ecosystem to support you.

Master Brother from Australia: Thanks, CZ! That’s a wrap.