Crypto Slump and AI Boom Overshadow CZ's Bullish Pitch at Bitcoin Asia

During the Bitcoin Asia conference in Hong Kong, Changpeng Zhao, widely recognized as CZ, presented an optimistic keynote on Thursday, asserting that bitcoin "will for sure become more important than gold." The billionaire entrepreneur, aged 48, received applause from attendees, yet his positive outlook stood in stark contrast to the overall atmosphere. In his opening remarks, Brandon Green, the CEO of the organizing entity BTC, remarked that this period has been "one of the hardest bear markets," noting that not only did bitcoin's value decline, but the "bitcoiners' ego also took a hit." He pointed out that capital, talent, and public interest have shifted towards artificial intelligence, leaving the crypto industry feeling "smaller." The event underscored AI's increasing impact on the cryptocurrency sector as participants confronted its reduced visibility.