Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, founder of Binance, said that practical education data from his Giggle Academy learning platform will connect young learners to job opportunities instead of focusing on degrees. This statement was made during a podcast.
“I’m not trying to get them university degrees or high school degrees, it’s jobs, right,” said Zhao, according to YouTube. “And once we have the education data, we can help the employers to find them, right? So this kid is like 90 percentile in math and he’s done this many projects. So we can make this work for kids to get them jobs early.”
Giggle Academy, launched by Zhao, is a gamified, AI-enhanced K–12 education platform aiming to offer free, globally accessible learning focused on literacy, numeracy, emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurial skills. It operates on a no-cost, no-revenue model funded entirely by Zhao and targets underprivileged children in regions with low literacy rates. According to Token2049’s coverage, its mission reflects growing global interest in bridging equity gaps in education.
Alternative education platforms—such as bootcamps, micro-credentials, and non-degree courses—now serve over 70 million learners through Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs). OpenCampus reports that many learners experience improved career outcomes and studies indicate that 70% of academic leaders rate online learning outcomes as equal or superior to in-person instruction.
The World Bank highlights the importance of online learning for underprivileged students. Nearly 70% of low-income children lack access to quality education during school closures, making digital platforms essential for closing the achievement gap.
Zhao is a Chinese-Canadian software developer and entrepreneur best known as the founder and former CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. Before founding Binance in 2017, he held key roles at major tech firms including Bloomberg Tradebook and Blockchain.info. According to his official biography, Zhao graduated from McGill University with a degree in computer science and is recognized for his significant impact on the global fintech sector and for advocating increased access to education and financial tools.
