Binance Co-founder CZ’s $630K Crypto Donation: A Lifeline for Myanmar & Thailand

An earthquake of magnitude 7.7 hit Thailand and Myanmar on 28th March, causing major destruction of assets and life. According to reports, more than 1,700 people died, and hundreds of people got injured. In response to this disaster, Myanmar’s military government declared “a state of emergency” and appealed to the global community for help.

Additionally, Mandalay (the second largest city in Myanmar) and Bangkok (a city in Thailand) also faced major damage to infrastructure (the fall of a high-rise building), trapping dozens inside the debris. In the crisis, the function of crypto humanitarian aid gained importance, providing environment-friendly and transparent economic support.

Crypto Donations by Changpeng Zhao

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the co-founder of Binance, was one of the largest donors in this relief program. Throughout the Binance Earthquake Donation, Zhao confirmed 1,000 BNB tokens (worth approximately $630,000) in the affected country. His donations were equally split, with 500 BNB allotted to Myanmar and 500 to Thailand. The monetary goal was to support infrastructure reconstruction, medical aid, and emergency services.

I will donate 500 BNB each to Myanmar and Thailand.

Is there a transparent on-chain donation system with DID? If not, I will rely on @Binance and @Binance_TH_ to distribute.

— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) March 28, 2025

Zhao introduced his pledge on the social media platform X as this post shows. His generosity stimulated other figures in the crypto space, including Anndy Liann, who donated forty-four BNB to non-profit organisations assisting Myanmar’s relief efforts. Donations highlight how cryptocurrency is becoming a crucial tool in emergency aid, facilitating rapid and obvious financial assistance for those in need.

How Crypto Humanitarian Aid is Changing Disaster Relief

Cryptocurrency has revolutionised the raising and distribution of disaster relief funds. Unlike traditional aid, which is delayed due to type and banking restrictions, crypto-humanitarian aid allows for quick, transparent, and boundary-free transactions.

The Turkey-Syria Earthquake (2023) and the Maui Wildfires (2023) were some disasters in which crypto donations played a significant role. In both cases, digital assets helped increase funds quickly, reflecting that blockchain technology is a feasible solution for emergency responses. More charities are now adopting cryptocurrency donations to ensure fast and corruption-free fund transfers.

Changpeng Zhao’s Business Moves Post-Donation

Beyond his charity contributions, Changpeng Zhao restructured his business ventures following the latest legal challenges. A major improvement was the transformation of Binance Labs into YZi Labs. This shift marks a strategic move, with YZi Labs managing US$10 billion in crypto assets. He intended to expand the scope of his investments while maintaining a strong presence in the crypto industry.

YZi Labs is now entering artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology, and promoting diversification beyond cryptocurrency. With Zhao’s financial expertise, the organisation is expected to play a key role in shaping future tech investments. This business restructuring indicates Zhao’s continued influence on the market, even after stepping away from Binance’s regular operations.

The Growing Influence of Crypto in Global Aid

The Binance Earthquake Donation is part of a broader trend, reflecting the growing role of crypto-humanitarian assistance. As traditional financial systems struggle to supply rapid and transparent solutions, cryptocurrencies are a reliable option for global relief. Some organisations like “Save the Children” and “The Giving Block” have promoted blockchain donations to provide quick financial assistance in disaster zones.

As Myanmar and Thailand continue to recover, the impact of crypto donations reflects the importance of digital assets in solving humanitarian crises. The increasing integration of cryptocurrencies in humanitarian efforts is shifting from traditional to blockchain-type donations. Cryptocurrencies’ potential to provide secure, limitless, and quick transactions plays an important role in reshaping global relief strategies.