A viral story a few 20-year-old lottery champion abandoning a $1 million sum in favor of a $1,000-per-week lifetime annuity has attracted world consideration.
Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has joined the dialogue with a crypto perspective. CZ steered the younger winner would have been “higher off” taking the lump sum and investing it in Bitcoin or BNB.
With Bitcoin hovering round $90,000 and BNB at $865, CZ implied that the long-term upside of crypto far outweighs the protection of mounted, modest weekly funds.
The Lottery Winner’s Choice
Notably, the state of affairs facilities on Brenda Aubin-Vega, a 20-year-old from Montreal who scratched a Gagnant à Vie (“Winner for Life”) ticket and hit the highest prize: $1,000 each week for the remainder of her life.
Shocked by the win, she selected the lifetime annuity as an alternative of the $1 million upfront cost. Aubin-Vega mentioned the regular earnings feels “safer” and offers long-term peace of thoughts, particularly as she hopes to purchase a house sooner or later.
At $1,000 per week, she would attain the $1 million mark in roughly 19 years. By this time, she will probably be near 40.
If invested at a modest 5% price, the weekly funds may accumulate to a future worth of $1 million in about 13 years, and even $2 million in 21 years.
In the meantime, commentators argue that the lump sum affords them rapid management over the prize’s full monetary potential.
Crypto Modifications the Equation
CZ’s argument facilities on alternative price. Particularly, holding $1 million in appreciating belongings like BTC or BNB may turn into extra useful over the many years.
His situation assumes the winner may take the $1 million lump sum, make investments it in Bitcoin or BNB, withdraw $1,000 weekly for residing bills, and nonetheless find yourself with a portfolio price a number of million {dollars} over time.
This view depends closely on the assumption that Bitcoin may attain, and surpass, $1 million within the coming years. Particularly, business leaders like Cathie Wooden and Michael Saylor have mentioned BTC’s value may attain $1 million per coin by 2030. Saylor even has a 2045 value of $13 million per coin.
Successfully, these projected outcomes may multiply at present’s $1 million many occasions over into tens of tens of millions of {dollars}.
Safety vs. Development
Certainly, the lottery choice has stirred a significant on-line controversy. Some folks say Brenda made the secure, good choice by choosing a assured earnings for all times with no stress or funding work. Notably, her choice successfully offers a $4,000 month-to-month wage for all times.
In the meantime, others argue she gave up the prospect to earn way more in the long term, given her younger age. Critics additionally level out that her $1,000 weekly cost may lose buying energy resulting from inflation over time.
CZ’s crypto-focused angle means that digital belongings may provide a extra inflation-resistant different to a set fiat payout.
He additionally framed her alternative by way of a particularly very long time horizon. Assuming she lives one other 100 years, withdrawing $1,000 each week quantities to round $5 million complete.
In his view, the potential positive factors from diligently investing a $1 million lump sum in crypto may nonetheless surpass that quantity.
She will probably be higher off to just accept $1m at present, ape bitcoin (or BNB), then spend $1k every week for the remainder of her life, with tens of millions left over.
Can be clear in a couple of years.
Assume she lives 100 extra years, she will get $5m (no inflation). Right now: BTC $90k, BNB $865. Let’s 👀 https://t.co/UYOzoeTFVn
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) December 11, 2025
DisClamier: This content material is informational and shouldn’t be thought of monetary recommendation. The views expressed on this article might embrace the writer’s private opinions and don’t mirror The Crypto Fundamental opinion. Readers are inspired to do thorough analysis earlier than making any funding selections. The Crypto Fundamental is just not liable for any monetary losses.
