CZ Says Bitcoin Could Reach $1 Million Ahead of Schedule
Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao said Bitcoin could reach $1 million in less than the 25 years often cited by long-term analysts. Speaking at the Bitcoin Asia conference in Hong Kong, Zhao pointed to Bitcoin’s fixed supply, portability and potential role in strategic national reserves as drivers of wider crypto adoption.
Bitcoin was trading near $77,300 during the later report’s reference period. A move to $1 million would require a gain of more than 1,100% and push Bitcoin’s market capitalisation above $19 trillion, closer to gold’s estimated $32.2 trillion value. Zhao also said Bitcoin could eventually become more important than gold and account for more than half of strategic crypto holdings, alongside Ethereum and BNB.
Zhao identified artificial intelligence as another potential demand driver. Autonomous AI agents could use digital assets for rapid, automated settlement. He urged governments to build cryptocurrency reserves and warned that countries delaying digital-asset adoption could face an economic disadvantage. He also praised the UAE’s crypto regulations and said Hong Kong was progressing quickly.
Bitcoin remained below its October 2025 peak above $126,000 after rising from below $65,000 on 18 August to under $79,000 on 28 August. CryptoQuant’s Bull Score increased from 30 to 80, while a daily close above the 365-day moving average near $83,000 was identified as a possible confirmation of a new bull-market phase.
Zhao’s $1 million Bitcoin forecast strengthens the long-term bullish narrative but provides no firm timetable or near-term price target. Traders should treat it as market commentary rather than a technical forecast. The $83,000 level remains an important resistance and confirmation threshold for Bitcoin.
Bullish
The news is bullish for Bitcoin’s long-term outlook because it reinforces institutional and sovereign adoption narratives. Zhao’s forecast highlights Bitcoin’s limited supply, portability and possible use in national reserves, while the AI-settlement thesis introduces another potential source of future demand. His comments on Bitcoin potentially surpassing gold could also support long-term investor sentiment.
The immediate price impact is likely to be limited because the $1 million estimate has no defined timeline and is a personal opinion rather than a trading target. Traders may react positively to the headline, but similar executive forecasts have historically produced short-lived momentum when they lacked specific catalysts. Bitcoin’s technical position remains more important in the short term. The rise in CryptoQuant’s Bull Score is supportive, but a daily close above the 365-day moving average near $83,000 would provide stronger confirmation. Failure to clear that level could lead to consolidation or renewed selling, particularly while Bitcoin remains below its previous peak.