In the wake of a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck parts of Thailand and Myanmar, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, co-founder of Binance, has pledged 500 BNB tokens (worth over $300,000) to each country as part of an emergency relief effort.
The quake, which hit on March 28 near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, has already claimed at least 144 lives, according to The Guardian. With hundreds more injured and search-and-rescue operations still underway, the death toll is expected to rise.
In a post on X, CZ expressed concern for the affected communities and announced that Binance would assist with the distribution of the aid, either directly or through a third-party onchain donation platform, should a suitable partner be found.
“I will donate 500 BNB each to Myanmar and Thailand.”
The donations shows how cryptocurrencies can be leveraged for real-time humanitarian support, particularly in regions where traditional banking infrastructure may be compromised during natural disasters.
Earthquake Devastates Border Region
The earthquake struck around 1:20 PM local time on Thursday, with the epicenter located roughly 10 miles from Mandalay. Buildings across both Myanmar and northern Thailand sustained structural damage, with reports of flooding and power outages in several rural communities.
Over 732 people have been reported injured, while rescue teams continue to search for survivors trapped under collapsed structures. Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has issued an international appeal for assistance, urging nations to provide humanitarian aid.
This is not the first time crypto has played a vital role in emergency response efforts. In early 2023, following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, crypto philanthropist Haluk Levent and platforms like The Giving Block raised millions in digital assets to support relief operations.
The Giving Block has since expanded its crypto-powered aid programs, channeling donations to victims of the Maui wildfires in 2023 and California’s 2024 wildfires, collectively raising over $2 million.
Thanks to low fees, speed, and cross-border accessibility, cryptocurrencies have become an increasingly preferred tool for aid delivery in urgent scenarios—offering transparency and efficiency that traditional systems often lack.
Looking Ahead
As the region grapples with the aftermath of one of its strongest quakes in recent history, CZ’s contribution highlights the potential of crypto as a force for good and a lifeline in times of crisis.
Whether distributed via Binance or a decentralized donation platform, the donated BNB tokens are expected to assist emergency medical response, food distribution, and shelter support in both countries.
