Original Title: "Besides CZ's New Book, What Other Biographies of Crypto Figures Are Worth Reading?"
Original Author: Shouyi, Biteye
On April 8, 2026, CZ @cz_binance's new book "Freedom of Money" was officially launched, instantly igniting a reading frenzy in the entire crypto community.
The crypto world has never lacked the myth of getting rich overnight, but hidden behind the candlesticks and code are often more thrilling human gambits and power struggles.
If you finish reading CZ's new book and still feel unsatisfied, then this must-read book list and deep reports covering "both Chinese and foreign perspectives" will definitely help you see through this magical decade in the martial world.
1. Western Perspective: From Geek Utopia to Global Narratives on Wall Street
Biographies from a Western perspective often focus more on the collision of technical idealism, regulatory games, and the madness of capital markets.
1. "Digital Gold" - The Genesis of Bitcoin
Core Figures: Satoshi Nakamoto, Winklevoss twins, early geeks
Highlight: If you want to know how it all started, this is a must-read foundational work. Author Nathaniel Popper records how Bitcoin evolved from a geek experiment in the cypherpunk mailing list to attracting Silk Road dark web hackers and Silicon Valley VCs, ultimately leading the Winklevoss twins to make a big entry.
2. "The Infinite Machine" - The Birth of Ethereum in Chaos
Core Figures: Vitalik Buterin (V God) and Ethereum co-founders
Highlight: This book vividly depicts how V God built the Ethereum empire amid chaos, alongside a group of diverse geniuses and madmen. It includes detailed accounts of the early DAO hacker attack and the ensuing hard fork crisis, showcasing the compromises and perseverance of technological idealism in the face of real-world interests.
3. "Going Infinite" - The Collapse of the Super Bubble
Core Figure: Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF)
Highlight: Written by "The Big Short" author Michael Lewis, it records the absurd journey of FTX founder SBF from "genius billionaire" to prisoner. By comparing this with CZ's new book's evaluation of SBF, reading both books together will give you a deeper understanding of how Alameda’s funding black hole consumed billions in wealth.
4. "Kings of Crypto" - A Compliance Model Embracing Regulation
Core Figure: Brian Armstrong (Coinbase CEO)
Highlight: Unlike Binance's early "drifting" route, Coinbase took a rigorous compliance path against U.S. regulation. This book chronicles how Brian Armstrong went from grassroots entrepreneurship to taking Coinbase public on Nasdaq under the gaze of the SEC, serving as an important reference for understanding the evolution of power in the U.S. crypto scene.
2. Chinese Perspective: Grassroots Rise, Infighting, and Dark Web Chronicles
Compared to the technical narratives of the West, the history of the Chinese crypto scene resembles a legendary tale filled with martial spirit. Perhaps due to regulatory sensitivity, formal autobiographies by Chinese leaders are rare, but top-notch in-depth reports are equally brilliant.
5. "The Self-Cultivation of Retail Investors" - Enlightenment and Self-Mockery of Small Investors
Core Figure: Li Xiaolai
Highlight: As one of the most controversial "Bitcoin billionaires" in the early Chinese scene, Li Xiaolai’s book, though short, candidly reveals the logic of crypto market manipulators and the fatal mindset of retail investors (often referred to as "leeks"). It is a reflection of early Chinese crypto investment philosophy.
6. Mining Wars: A Record of Infighting at Bitmain (In-Depth Feature)
Core Figures: Wu Jihan vs. Zhan Ketuan
Highlight: Computing power was once the strongest weapon in the Chinese crypto sphere ruling the world. This series of in-depth reports details the "Double Wu Split" drama of Bitmain's two founders from fighting side by side to seizing seals and taking the family to court; understanding it will lead to insights about the power vacuum and bear market truths in the mining sector.
"Wu Jihan: The Beauty of Computing Power"
https://www.techflowpost.com/en-US/article/10614
"The 'Gods' of Bitmain Clash, but the Wounded Are Themselves"
https://36kr.com/p/745657888526214
"Bitmain Finally Calmed Down, Wu Jihan Leaves with Love"
https://36kr.com/p/1072430725510278
7. Justin Sun's Biography and OK Life (In-Depth Report Collection)
Core Figures: Justin Sun, Xu Mingxing, Li Lin
Highlight: Whether it's the marketing genius Justin Sun who bid for a dinner with Warren Buffett, Xu Mingxing who led OKX to rise against adversity and controversies, or Li Lin who reluctantly sold Huobi. Combined with in-depth reviews from major media in 2026 and revelations from CZ's new book, the intertwined stories of these three create a complete ten-year history of bloody battles in the Chinese CEX (centralized exchange) landscape.
"The World Is Both Cruel and Gentle," Justin Sun @justinsuntron 2026 B.AI Interview
https://www.techflowpost.com/en-US/article/31072
Xu Mingxing @star_okx's "Life of OK"
https://en.theblockbeats.news/news/61880
8. The Collapse of Huiwang: The Underground Financial Stories of Phnom Penh
Core Figures: Grey industry giants and money laundering networks
Highlight: With the comprehensive regulatory crackdown in 2026, the hidden cryptographic black industry empire in Southeast Asia surfaced. This series of investigative reports exposes the operational logic of Telegram dark web markets, USDT money laundering networks, and fraud parks, presenting the most authentic warning about the "dark river risks" of cryptocurrencies.
"The Collapse of Huiwang: The Underground Financial Stories of Phnom Penh"
https://www.theblockbeats.info/news/61958
Conclusion
The past decade of cryptocurrencies has not been an overnight phenomenon, nor merely a casino.
Western biographies paint a picture of the industry's technical outline and capital logic, while deep Chinese documentaries fill in the flesh of power, desire, and humanity.
From the geek ideals in "Digital Gold," to the Binance life in "Freedom of Money," and to the shocking alarm of "The Collapse of the Huiwang Empire." By reading these texts, you will not only understand the logic behind candlestick charts but also see through this crazy world built on "cryptography + humanity."
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