CZ错失人生最佳投资的那一天，Crypto错过了AI

Core Insights - The article discusses the significant investment made by CZ, the founder of Binance, in Bitcoin (BTC) in 2014, which has yielded substantial returns over the years, highlighting the idealistic nature of his early investment decisions [2] - It also explores the dramatic events surrounding the failed acquisition of FTX by Binance in November 2021, which ultimately led to FTX's collapse and a prolonged downturn in the cryptocurrency market [3][7] - The narrative contrasts the operational strengths of CZ with the investment acumen of SBF, the founder of FTX, particularly in relation to their respective approaches to business and investment [10] Investment Highlights - In 2014, CZ sold his apartment in Shanghai to invest approximately 1500 BTC, which could have generated a peak return of about $189 million if held until now [2] - FTX's strategic investment in AI startup Anthropic, where it invested $500 million for a 13.56% stake, is noted as a significant move in the AI sector [8] - Anthropic's valuation has skyrocketed, with recent funding rounds suggesting a potential valuation of $350 billion, making FTX's stake worth approximately $27.44 billion [10] Acquisition Attempt - On November 9, 2021, Binance and FTX announced a preliminary agreement for Binance to acquire FTX to address its liquidity crisis, but the deal fell through within a day [3][7] - The failed acquisition is seen as a pivotal moment that allowed Binance to solidify its position as the leading exchange in the cryptocurrency market [7] Market Impact - Following FTX's bankruptcy, its assets, including the stake in Anthropic, were managed by a bankruptcy team, which sold shares for over $1.3 billion [11] - The buyers of these shares were primarily traditional financial institutions, indicating a shift in the ownership of valuable assets from the crypto sector to traditional finance [12] Conclusion - The article reflects on the missed opportunities for collaboration between the crypto and AI sectors, suggesting that had FTX or Binance maintained a stake in Anthropic, it could have led to innovative developments at the intersection of these industries [13]