Changpeng Zhao (CZ), Binance’s co-founder, boldly declared at Token2049 in Dubai that cryptocurrency will be the key currency fueling Artificial Intelligence’s transformative power. During his keynote address, CZ emphasized this point, stating: ‘The currency for AI is crypto.’ CZ believes AI will rapidly revolutionize various fields, from content creation to app development. He envisions AI agents requiring a financial system, and crypto’s characteristics – speed, borderless transactions, and the absence of intermediaries – perfectly align with this vision. 99.99% of new AI tokens, CZ asserts, are essentially useless, warning against jumping on hype trends without genuine utility. Instead, he urges developers to focus on creating tools and services that genuinely benefit people. CZ illustrated his point with Giggle Academy, where he leverages AI and blockchain to generate children’s stories, reaching over 220,000 kids in 15 languages within six months. He aims to educate one billion kids globally using technology, rather than traditional methods. CZ also highlighted Europe’s lagging crypto adoption rate compared to Bhutan and the US, which hold crypto as strategic reserves, while India’s high tax rates act as a significant obstacle. He advised aspiring Web3 founders to prioritize building practical applications that solve real-world problems over chasing fleeting trends. Discussing the future of investments in companies like X (formerly Twitter), CZ observed that financial gains are only one aspect; freedom of speech and open platforms play a crucial role. He explained,