Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) says decentralized finance (DeFi) is on track to surpass centralized exchanges, just as Japan Post Bank unveils plans to activate its massive ¥190 trillion ($1.3 trillion) deposit base through a state-backed digital currency.
CZ: “DeFi Is the Future”
Speaking in Tokyo during BNB Chain’s fifth anniversary, Zhao stressed that the chain’s strength comes from its grassroots developer community rather than centralized leadership.
“The chain has a small tech team and is much more community-driven. I don’t do that much; I post tweets and encourage people to build. I’m a cheerleader,” CZ said.
With more than 4,000 decentralized apps (dApps) now live—including PancakeSwap and Aster—BNB Chain has grown into one of the largest ecosystems in crypto.
Zhao highlighted several growth drivers:
- Stablecoin adoption has nearly doubled in 2024.
- Real-world assets (RWAs) like securities and commodities are gaining traction, despite regulatory hurdles.
- Privacy-preserving trading tools and AI-powered agents could define the next wave of innovation.
At #BNBDay Japan, @cz_binance shared his vision for BNB Chain and the future of Web3. From DeFi to RWAs to AI, his message was clear: the next chapter belongs to builders.
— BNB Chain (@BNBCHAIN) August 31, 2025
Read the full recap of his fireside chat here 👇https://t.co/qZG2W7C7TI
“DEX volumes are very likely to exceed CEX in the future. DeFi is the future. And normal trading should be privacy-preserving,” Zhao predicted.
Japan Post Bank Bets Big on DCJPY
While CZ looked ahead to global DeFi adoption, Japan’s financial sector is preparing its own blockchain leap.
Japan Post Bank confirmed it will launch DCJPY, a yen-pegged digital currency, in fiscal 2026. Customers will be able to instantly convert savings into digital money for use in tokenized securities, NFTs, and other blockchain-based assets.
The bank, which manages deposits for 120 million accounts, hopes DCJPY will help activate dormant balances and appeal to younger, tech-savvy users.
Beyond trading, the bank envisions government subsidies and grants being distributed directly through DCJPY, weaving digital money into everyday transactions.
Web3 Convergence in Tokyo
Analysts say the move aligns with broader forecasts for tokenized assets. Boston Consulting Group and Ripple project the market could surge from $600 billion in 2025 to nearly $19 trillion by 2033.
With BNB Chain fueling community-driven innovation and Japan Post Bank embedding digital currency into traditional finance, Tokyo is shaping up as a hub where DeFi ideals meet institutional scale.
