CZ Attributes Slow Crypto Payment Adoption to Lack of Privacy

CZ cites lack of privacy as key barrier to crypto payment adoption.

The absence of privacy in on-chain transactions remains a major barrier to the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment, according to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ).

(Lack of) Privacy may the missing link for crypto payments adoption.

Imagine, a company pays employees in crypto on-chain. With the current state of crypto, you can pretty much see how much everyone in the company is paid (by clicking the from address). 🤷‍♂️ https://t.co/LRmuPHuMMf

— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) February 15, 2026

He argues that blockchain transparency hinders businesses from using digital assets in operations, such as payroll: 

“(Lack of) Privacy may the missing link for crypto payments adoption. Imagine, a company pays employees in crypto on-chain. With the current state of crypto, you can pretty much see how much everyone in the company is paid (by clicking the from address).” 

In a conversation with investor Chamath Palihapitiya, CZ expressed a similar view. He added that the lack of privacy hampers Bitcoin’s scalability.

“I think privacy plays a fundamental role in our society. But right now, Bitcoin and most cryptocurrencies lack sufficient privacy features. When Bitcoin was designed, it was supposed to be pseudo-anonymous, but every transaction on the blockchain can be traced, especially now with centralized exchanges with KYC,” Zhao stated.

Community Opinions 

Shielded Labs product lead, known as zooko, supported the Binance founder. He emphasized that the same principle applies to all regular transactions.

“99% of all normal economic activity requires confidentiality,” the expert believes. 

A user named Lucie added that the privacy issue in cryptocurrencies leads to real threats, from online harassment to real-life stalking.

In 2025, there was an increase in so-called wrench attacks—physical assaults aimed at stealing digital assets. According to a tracker created by Bitcoin developer Jameson Lopp, 70 such incidents were recorded during that period. 

Since the beginning of 2026, the statistics have been supplemented by 14 more cases. The latest high-profile incident occurred on February 13: according to French media, the victim was Binance France CEO David Princay.

Some community members called CZ’s statements hypocritical, pointing to the delisting of the privacy cryptocurrency Monero from Binance in 2024.

Imagine how hypocritical you have to be to talk about the importance of privacy and then remove XMR from Binance?

— TheFuzzStone (@thefuzzstone) February 15, 2026

Others considered the dreams of privacy too utopian. According to a user under the pseudonym Epykurious, governments worldwide will always view confidential cryptocurrencies as a problem. 

As an example, he cited cases against the developers of Samurai Wallet and Tornado Cash. The former were sentenced to real terms, while proceedings with the latter continue. 

Previously, Digital Currency Group founder and CEO Barry Silbert called financial privacy a “fundamental right” and the next “big asymmetric bet” in the crypto industry.