Crypto exchanges can now process volumes that traditional banks simply are not built to handle, according to Changpeng Zhao, who pointed to real-world stress tests that exposed the growing gap between legacy finance and digital markets.
Speaking during the recent World Economic Conference in Davos, Zhao argued that the infrastructure behind major crypto platforms has quietly surpassed that of conventional banks when it comes to speed, scale, and resilience. His comments come as digital assets continue to embed themselves deeper into the global financial system.
Key Takeaways
Crypto exchanges can process volumes traditional banks cannot
Stablecoins are becoming key global payment rails
Banks and blockchains are moving from testing to real adoption
To illustrate the point, Zhao referenced a period in December 2023 when Binance processed $7 billion in customer withdrawals in a single day, followed by $14 billion over the course of a week, without disruption. He said no traditional banking institution could realistically manage a comparable surge in liquidity movement over such a short timeframe.
According to Zhao, this capacity reflects how far crypto infrastructure has evolved. Exchanges are no longer niche platforms operating on the fringes of finance, but high-throughput networks capable of functioning as global financial rails. He added that firms such as Binance and Coinbase are increasingly operating within regulated frameworks, positioning themselves as key gateways between traditional finance and blockchain-based assets.
Stablecoins and invisible payment rails
Zhao also highlighted the growing role of stablecoins, describing them as a quietly transformative force in digital finance. Rather than drawing attention like volatile cryptocurrencies, stablecoins are increasingly being used as efficient settlement tools that bridge fiat currencies and blockchain networks, enabling faster and cheaper cross-border transfers.
Beyond exchanges and stablecoins, Zhao pointed to a broader institutional shift toward blockchain infrastructure. Governments and large institutions are exploring tokenized real-world assets, while cryptocurrency is increasingly being used as an invisible payment layer – powering transactions behind the scenes without end users being fully aware of it.
Crypto moves into the financial core
Zhao’s comments echoed a broader sentiment shared by other industry leaders, including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, who has repeatedly argued that Bitcoin and crypto networks support a more open and accessible financial system.
That narrative was reinforced at Davos this year, where a policy paper released during the conference outlined growing cooperation between banks and blockchain networks. The document suggested that institutional adoption is moving beyond pilot programs and experimentation toward real-world implementation.
The message from Davos was clear: cryptocurrency is no longer trying to prove it belongs. It is increasingly being integrated into the core architecture of global finance, reshaping how value moves across borders and systems.
