In the wake of a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, over 1,700 fatalities have been confirmed and thousands injured across the two nations. The epicenter, located near Mandalay in central Myanmar, caused widespread destruction, including collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure, and flooding.
In Thailand, Bangkok experienced significant tremors, leading to the collapse of an under-construction high-rise that trapped dozens beneath the rubble. Rescue operations are ongoing as international aid pours into the region to address the humanitarian crisis. Myanmar’s military government has declared a state of emergency and called for global assistance to support relief efforts.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao leads crypto donations
Among notable contributions to disaster relief, Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) pledged 1,000 BNB tokens—valued at approximately $630,000—split evenly between Myanmar and Thailand. He posted on X on Friday:
“I will donate 500 BNB each to Myanmar and Thailand.”
The post moved many more industry participants to action, including Anndy Liann, thought leader, intergovernmental blockchain advisor, and best-selling author, who stated:
“I will donate 44 $BNB to NPO to help #Myanmar. Earthquake death toll rises to 1,644 amid race to find survivors.”
He also urged his followers to also follow CZ and donate to play their part as well.
The funds are being distributed through Binance Thailand and local partners to ensure efficient allocation for rebuilding infrastructure and providing essential services.
Zhao’s donation highlights the growing role of cryptocurrency in humanitarian efforts, offering rapid and transparent financial aid during crises. This follows a broader trend of crypto donations being used effectively in past disasters, such as the Turkey-Syria earthquake and Maui wildfires.
CryptoSlate recently reported that cryptocurrencies are rapidly transforming global aid, helping charities like Save the Children to reach more people quickly on the ground in disaster zones when help is needed.
As rescue teams continue their work amid challenging conditions, international collaboration remains critical to addressing urgent needs and supporting affected communities.
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