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Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao believes that within the next five years, blockchain and cryptocurrencies could become as привычные and invisible in everyday life as the internet. He shared this view on Scott Melker’s Wolf of All Streets podcast.
According to Zhao, the real success of the industry will come when people stop focusing on the technology itself. Today, he says, the crypto market is at a stage similar to the early days of the internet, when attention was centered on technical terms that eventually disappeared from everyday conversation.
“I’m hoping that in five years we won’t talk about crypto as something separate. Just like we don’t talk about the internet anymore — we don’t discuss TCP/IP, HTML, JavaScript, and so on. We just use it,” Zhao said.
Recent data suggests the market is moving in that direction. According to DemandSage, the number of global crypto users reached 559 million in 2026. At the same time, major financial institutions are preparing for broader adoption of blockchain-based solutions. A Citi survey published last September found that most banks and asset managers expect tokenized securities and stablecoins to account for 10% of global post-trade market turnover within less than five years.
Long-term forecasts are even more ambitious. ARK Invest recently projected that the digital asset market could reach $28 trillion by 2030. Tether co-founder Reeve Collins also believes that nearly all traditional currencies could eventually transition into stablecoins. Chainalysis offers an even more aggressive outlook, estimating that stablecoin volumes could reach $1.5 quadrillion by 2035.
Zhao also linked the future of blockchain to the development of artificial intelligence. He noted that adoption could accelerate as AI agents begin handling financial transactions. He emphasized that both blockchain and AI are becoming critical technologies for countries aiming to remain competitive.
At the same time, while Microsoft recently identified the United States as a leader in AI infrastructure, Zhao noted that other countries are advancing faster in certain areas of practical adoption.
Cryptocurrencies offer users significantly more control over their funds. Unlike traditional money, they do not rely on banks or government institutions: transfers can be made directly, without intermediaries, time restrictions, or geographic limitations. This makes crypto especially convenient for international payments and helps reduce transaction costs.
In addition, blockchain provides transparency and predictability. The supply of many cryptocurrencies is limited or заранее defined, which helps protect against uncontrolled inflation. At the same time, the technology continues to evolve: stablecoins, DeFi services, and new financial tools are making the crypto market more flexible and accessible compared to the traditional financial system.
Earlier, Changpeng Zhao introduced his book Freedom of Money, where he spoke about his path to success and his time in prison.