For the first time after his release, CZ opened up about his experiences in a U.S. prison. He admitted that building connections was crucial for survival; isolation could make things much harder. Interestingly, a few guards recognized him and even asked him for cryptocurrency advice. But he had to explain that he had no access to his usual network or market information inside. Despite the challenging environment, he managed to make some friends, and several of them still keep in touch with him today. Many of his fellow inmates, sentenced to lengthy terms for minor offenses, were surprisingly friendly, proving that good people can be found even in the most difficult places.
CZ shared that while some prison guards were indifferent, he thankfully never faced any physical harm. He felt fortunate from that perspective. Prior to his sentence, he had consulted with prison advisors who gave him practical tips, one of which was to keep his account balance minimal—around sixty dollars. Upon arrival, he noticed others had upwards of two hundred dollars in their accounts, which inadvertently made him seem financially less well-off.
One inmate who left a lasting impression on him was a man named Michael, who had been imprisoned for over two decades for a minor marijuana-related charge from nearly forty years ago. Ironically, marijuana is now legalized. Despite his circumstances, Michael achieved a college degree and read several books, showing resilience and a drive for self-improvement.
CZ also highlighted the limited access to technology in prison, explaining how he could only use a computer for brief, 15-minute sessions before being automatically logged off. The computers lacked basic features like copy-paste, meaning even minor edits required retyping entire sections manually. Reflecting on Michael’s era, when there weren’t even computers available, CZ admired the determination of those who pursued education and personal growth under such constraints.
