From TikTok to 280M Users: How Binance is Shaping the Future of Crypto
Binance’s rapid rise and what’s coming next
Crypto has no shortage of headlines. But what does it take to build real trust—and utility—for over 280 million users across the globe?
In this episode of Web3 with Sam Kamani, I sat down with James Quinn Kumar, Regional Head of Binance ANZ, to talk about how Binance scaled globally, why Gen Z is buying Bitcoin instead of homes, and what the company is betting on next—from AI agents to Web3 wallets.
Here’s what stood out.
Lessons from TikTok, Facebook—and liquidity
James entered the Web3 space via TikTok, building communities and content that eventually led him deep into crypto full-time. At Binance, he observed a key differentiator from his Web2 past: listening to users—constantly.
Binance’s scale didn’t come from hype alone. It came from:
- 24/7 customer service — a rarity in crypto
- Tight user feedback loops
- High liquidity for both retail and institutions
These weren’t afterthoughts. They were foundational to how Binance positioned itself in both speculative and stable markets.
Bitcoin hits 200K NZD—Gen Z takes note
One of the most interesting trends James highlighted is the mindset shift among younger investors.
In New Zealand and Australia, property feels out of reach for many Gen Z buyers. As a result, Bitcoin is becoming a form of digital savings—an alternative path to wealth that’s borderless, scarce, and easier to access.
The symbolic milestone of 1 BTC = 200K NZD created a psychological shift. Community meetups revealed that young investors weren’t just trading anymore—they were hodling.
Over 50% of Binance’s NZ users are holding crypto long-term, according to their latest investor sentiment report.
AI agents, machine money, and the native rails of Web3
James didn’t stop at human behavior.
He made a compelling case for how AI agents—autonomous software entities—will rely on crypto as their default money layer.
- AI can’t open bank accounts
- But AI can transact on-chain
- And crypto allows coordination at machine speed
This isn’t speculative. Binance is already preparing for this future by improving its Web3 UX and investing in infrastructure for autonomous interaction—where agents pay for services, tip creators, or access data—all using blockchain rails.
Binance’s big bet: Web3 wallets and creator monetization
In James' words, Binance’s Web3 Wallet strategy is “aiming to be the Google of Web3.”
This isn’t just about storing tokens. It’s about:
- Seamless onboarding for non-technical users
- Built-in access to NFTs, games, and DeFi apps
- A gateway to Web3 with trust baked in
But perhaps most exciting was the discussion around content ownership.
“The future of content is tokenized IP.” – James Quinn Kumar
Creators today rely on YouTube or TikTok for rev share. Binance is betting that Web3 will unlock direct monetization—where creators mint, license, and monetize their content without middlemen.
And they’re actively seeking creators in NZ and AU to explore partnerships, co-creation, and education projects around this vision.
Why Binance survived—and what’s next
In a volatile industry, survival is strategy. James attributes Binance’s longevity to operational excellence and community-first thinking:
- Running IRL meetups every day across the globe
- Being available when users need help, not just during bull runs
- Constantly refining UX, security, and accessibility
As Binance works toward onboarding 1 billion users, they’re doubling down on creators, wallets, and UX innovation—while staying grounded in trust and user feedback.
Final thought: creators, this is your moment
If you’re a creator in NZ or AU curious about Web3, James wants to hear from you.
This episode isn’t just a snapshot of Binance’s past. It’s an open invitation to help shape the future—whether you’re building products, making content, or exploring how crypto fits into a post-platform world.
Listen to the full episode here:
Connect with James and Binance:
