Binance CZ at Davos: A Dozen Governments Looking to Put State Assets on Blockchain

Changpeng Zhao, co-founder and former CEO of Binance, said he is currently in discussions with “probably a dozen governments” about tokenizing state-owned assets, highlighting growing sovereign interest in blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

Speaking during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zhao did not disclose specific countries or asset types but suggested that asset tokenization could offer governments a new way to raise capital by selling fractional ownership in public assets to citizens or global investors. The appearance also marked the first time Zhao—and by extension Binance, given his continued affiliation—was invited to participate in the summit, underscoring the company’s growing presence within global policy and institutional finance circles.

The invitation reflects a broader shift in how major crypto industry figures are being engaged by international forums traditionally dominated by governments, central banks, and multinational institutions, as digital assets move further into mainstream financial discussions.

How Government Asset Tokenization Could Work

Tokenization involves converting real-world assets—such as real estate, infrastructure projects, commodities, or state-owned enterprises—into blockchain-based tokens that can be traded and divided into smaller units. This approach mirrors traditional privatization strategies, where governments sell minority stakes in national oil companies or telecom operators, but with greater accessibility, liquidity, and transparency.

“This way the government can actually realize their financial gains first, and use that to develop these industries,” Zhao said.

By enabling fractional ownership, tokenization could allow broader participation from retail and institutional investors while providing governments with upfront funding to reinvest in economic development.

Ongoing Talks With Emerging Markets

Zhao has previously indicated that he has held discussions with several governments about crypto adoption and blockchain policy, including Pakistan, Malaysia, and Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan has already taken concrete steps in this direction. In 2024, the country launched a stablecoin pegged to its national currency, the som, and announced plans for a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin backed by $300 million in gold reserves, signaling growing experimentation with digital assets at the state level.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has been moving quickly on crypto policy, with regulators and policymakers exploring frameworks that could position the country as a global digital asset leader by 2030, reflecting the type of government engagement Zhao referenced in Davos.

Crypto Payments and the Role of AI

Beyond tokenization, Zhao also addressed the evolution of crypto payments, noting an increasing convergence between traditional payment systems and blockchain-based alternatives.

He added that cryptocurrencies are likely to become the native payment layer for artificial intelligence agents. As AI systems begin to transact autonomously on behalf of users—such as purchasing services or digital goods—Zhao said those payments are expected to be settled in cryptocurrencies rather than traditional fiat rails.

A Broader Shift Toward Blockchain Infrastructure

Zhao’s comments reflect a broader trend in which governments and public institutions are exploring tokenization, stablecoins, and blockchain payments not as speculative tools, but as components of modern financial infrastructure. As regulatory clarity improves and institutional use cases expand, sovereign engagement with digital assets is moving from theory toward implementation.