Crypto mogul Zhao Changpeng (CZ) recently made a statement that directly hit the pain points of many project teams: "If the project is solid, exchanges will rush to list it; if you have to beg to get listed, you should seriously consider who is creating value." Although this statement is straightforward, it reveals the core logic of the crypto world, and beginners can avoid many pitfalls by understanding it.

First, truly capable projects never need to "beg for opportunities." CZ's point is very clear: there is no need to get tangled up in whether the listing fee is expensive or to complain about the strict conditions for airdrops. If a project has real strength, centralized exchanges (CEX) will actively seek them out, fearing they might miss out on traffic dividends. In contrast, many project teams, lacking mature products and stable users, rush to “spend money to buy listing qualifications,” only to have no trading volume after going live and quickly fade into obscurity. Ultimately, the listing fee is never the issue; the key is the project’s inherent weakness.

Secondly, don’t get fixated on competitors; users are the core. CZ also pointed out an important logic: “There is no fixed model in the decentralized space; if you think the listing fee is high, set it to 0; if you want to list for free, decentralized exchanges (DEX) are the choice.” Just like PancakeSwap, which has zero listing fees yet managed to generate trading volume through exceptional user experience and real profits. This indicates that the market does not care about the fee model; it only cares about whether users can “use it comfortably and earn real profits.”

Furthermore, beginners need to understand the CEX listing logic. CZ explained that CEX listings roughly fall into three categories: fully open chains that welcome almost everyone, but where junk projects and scam coins are clustered, posing high risks; screening types that charge listing fees or require airdrops, essentially filtering out inferior projects; and mixed types that rely on deposits and tiered listings to balance safety and returns. Therefore, there’s no need to get bogged down in “whether the fees are justified;” this is merely a strategic choice of the exchange.

Lastly, remember that CZ’s underlying message is clear: project teams should focus on refining their products, strengthening their ecosystems, and retaining users; exchanges should uphold their bottom line to protect users and filter quality projects. The listing fee is just a minor issue; true competitiveness is not about “spending money to buy spots,” but about making exchanges “afraid not to list.” Weak projects, no matter how they struggle, will find it hard to make an impact.