Jing Xiong, Investment Director of YZi Labs, has described Giggle Academy as a transformative educational initiative offering hope to millions of children worldwide. This statement was made during an investment committee meeting.
"I expected the usual: ambitious founders, big ideas, the conversations around pitch decks and market maps," said Xiong. "But nothing quite prepared me for what I found behind Giggle Academy. On paper, it's an educational platform. In reality, it's a project that, in its quiet way, signals hope for millions of children."
Giggle Academy is a nonprofit online education platform founded by former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao. It aims to provide free, gamified learning to children globally, particularly in underserved regions. Launched at Token2049 in Dubai, the platform focuses on foundational subjects and deliberately excludes contentious topics to maintain global neutrality. Zhao emphasized the platform's practical approach to education, stating that he is not trying to get them university or high school degrees but rather jobs, highlighting the goal of equipping children with skills directly applicable to the job market. According to Crypto Republique, Zhao believes that by focusing on practical skills, Giggle Academy can effectively connect young learners to employment opportunities.
As of early 2025, Giggle Academy reported over 8,200 registered child users and offers 38 lessons and 21 storybooks focused on early childhood education. The platform's design incorporates gamification and adaptive learning techniques to enhance engagement and accessibility. According to CryptoMode, these features aim to make learning more interactive and tailored to individual student needs.
Dr. Jing Xiong is the Investment Director at YZi Labs, where she leads AI investment strategies. She earned her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, focusing on computer vision and neuroscience. Prior to her current role, Xiong spent five years at Google contributing to projects like Google Lens, Document AI, and the Gemini initiative. Her extensive experience bridges academic research and practical applications in artificial intelligence.
Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as CZ, is a visionary entrepreneur who founded Binance in 2017 and quickly grew it into the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. He is widely recognized for his leadership in advancing blockchain technology and promoting financial inclusion globally, making him one of the most influential figures in the crypto industry. CZ’s innovative strategies and commitment to expanding crypto accessibility have earned him a reputation as a pioneer in digital finance, as reported by Forbes.