Speculation grows about CZ’s possible return, boosting excitement and fueling BNB’s rally higher.
Binance’s native token, BNB, has made history by crossing the $1,000 mark for the first time, cementing its place as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency. But beyond the numbers, it’s the growing speculation that Binance is in talks with the US Department of Justice to lift a key compliance requirement around Changpeng Zhao’s (CZ) possible return to the exchange.
In the last 24 hours, BNB surged from $956 to a fresh all-time high of $1,004, boosting its market value close to $140 billion. This jump allowed BNB to reclaim its position as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency, moving past Solana.
Adding to the excitement, broader crypto markets have been lifted by the Federal Reserve’s 25-basis-point interest rate cut. Meanwhile, trading volumes for BNB alone rose 28% to $4.37 billion, showing how quickly confidence is flowing back into the token.
Further, Bitcoin and Ethereum have also seen steady ETF inflows this year, creating a bullish backdrop that has supported altcoins like BNB.
While BNB’s price action is impressive on its own, much of the hype seems tied to CZ. The co-founder stepped down from Binance leadership in 2023 as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Now, chatter on social media suggests he could return in some capacity if Binance successfully negotiates to ease compliance restrictions with regulators.
Although there is no official word of CZ’s comeback, his influence on the exchange remains undeniable. For many investors, even the idea of his return injects confidence into BNB’s future.
Looking ahead, some analysts believe BNB could keep up this rally. Some estimates suggest the token might reach $1,220 by December 2025, which would be nearly a 22% gain from where it stands today.
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