Billionaire Profile

Global Rank

#27

Image: Aevozer | CC BY-SA 4.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Changpeng Zhao

CEO, Cryptocurrency exchange

CANADA

Real-Time Net Worth

$66.109B

Estimated based on Cryptocurrency exchange stock value as of March 6, 2026

0% (24h)

Age

Source

Cryptocurrency exchange

Industry

Finance & Investments

Citizenship

CANADA

Biography

Changpeng Zhao, often referred to as CZ, is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency world, best known as the founder and former CEO of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. Born in China and raised in Canada, CZ's career spans the technology and finance sectors, with key roles at Bloomberg Tradebook and Fusion Systems before he entered the crypto space. His net worth is estimated to be $61 billion as of June 14, 2024. CZ's wealth source is primarily Binance, which he founded in 2017. He is known for his early investments in Bitcoin and his strategic approach to building Binance into a leading global platform. In November 2023, he stepped down as CEO as part of a settlement with U.S. authorities.

Fact Checked

Verified by Editorial Team

Live Data

Updated 3/6/2026

Wealth Over Time

Portfolio Holdings

Binance

In-Depth Profile

Early Life and Education

Changpeng Zhao, or CZ, was born in Jiangsu, China, in 1977. His family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, in the late 1980s. During his teenage years, CZ worked various service jobs to support his family, including McDonald's and at a gas station. He pursued a computer science degree at McGill University in Montreal.

Rise to Success

After graduating, CZ began his career in the finance and technology industry, working in Tokyo and New York. He developed software for the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Bloomberg's Tradebook. He moved to Shanghai in 2005 to start Fusion Systems, specializing in high-frequency trading systems. CZ's interest in Bitcoin sparked in 2013, leading him to enter the crypto industry. He sold his apartment to invest in Bitcoin. In 2017, he founded Binance. Within months, Binance became the world's largest crypto exchange by trading volume.

Key Business Strategies

Binance's success is attributed to its user-friendly interface, a wide range of listed coins, and strong security measures. CZ also launched Binance Coin (BNB), a utility token offering various benefits. Binance expanded rapidly, attracting millions of users globally. In November 2023, CZ stepped down as CEO of Binance as part of a settlement with U.S. authorities after pleading guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program.

Philanthropy

CZ has supported charitable causes, including education and disaster relief. He aims to make a positive impact through his wealth.

Career Milestones

2001

Software Developer

Began career in finance and technology.

2005

Founded Fusion Systems

Founded Fusion Systems in Shanghai.

2017

Founded Binance

Founded Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange.

2023

Resigned as CEO of Binance

Stepped down as CEO of Binance as part of a settlement with U.S. authorities.

2024

Sentenced to 4 months in prison

Served a four-month prison sentence.

2025

Pardoned by Donald Trump

Was pardoned by Donald Trump in October 2025.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Charity

Education and Disaster Relief

Undisclosed

Donations to education and disaster relief causes

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

"We need to respect the market, with a level of caution too. It goes up and down in cycles. And especially the fact that it doesn't always make sense."

Leadership Principles

Respect the market

Recognize the cyclical nature of the market and approach it with caution.

Controversies & Challenges

2020

Deceptive Corporate Structure

Forbes reported that Binance created a corporate structure designed to deceive U.S. regulators.

2021

Money Laundering and Tax Investigations

Binance was under investigation by the IRS and the DOJ for money laundering and tax offenses.

2023

Regulatory Violations and Lawsuits

Binance and CZ faced lawsuits from the SEC for alleged regulatory violations and money laundering.

2023

Resignation and Guilty Plea

CZ stepped down as Binance CEO as part of a settlement with U.S. authorities and pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program.

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Latest News & Analysis

Analysis•2/23/2026

CZ's Gambit: From Prison to Power Play - Can Binance.US Rise Again?

Changpeng Zhao, fresh from a presidential pardon and the shadows of a prison sentence, is back. His target? The US market. The question isn't *if* he'll try to rebuild, but *how*. Expect a ruthless, strategic offensive, and brace for impact.

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Analysis•2/23/2026

CZ's American Gambit: From Prison Bars to Binance.US Expansion – A Crypto Comeback or a Calculated Mirage?

Changpeng Zhao, fresh off a presidential pardon, is back on American soil and already plotting a strategic resurgence of Binance.US. This move, fueled by deep pockets and a reputation for resilience, is a high-stakes gamble to regain lost market share and credibility. But the ghosts of past regulatory battles and the shifting tides of the crypto landscape pose formidable challenges to his ambitious plans.

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Analysis•2/9/2026

Crypto in the Crossroads: Zhaparov, Zhao, and the Kyrgyz Gamble at Jyrgalan

The remote slopes of Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan, have become the unlikely stage for a high-stakes geopolitical drama, as Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov hosted Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. This isn't just a photo op; it's a calculated dance between a nation seeking economic salvation and a crypto titan navigating regulatory minefields. The implications ripple far beyond Central Asia, potentially reshaping the future of digital assets and national sovereignty in the face of decentralized finance.

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Analysis•2/7/2026

CZ in Karachi: Binance's Bold Gambit in Pakistan - A High-Stakes Bet on Crypto's Future

Changpeng Zhao's move to advise Pakistan on crypto regulation isn't just news; it's a declaration. Binance, facing headwinds globally, sees Pakistan as a strategic beachhead. This calculated risk, executed with CZ's characteristic audacity, could reshape the crypto landscape, or blow up spectacularly.

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Analysis•2/7/2026

CZ in Pakistan: Binance's Gamble and the Geopolitical Chessboard of Crypto's Future

Changpeng Zhao, the enigmatic figure behind Binance, has inserted himself into Pakistan's nascent crypto landscape. This move, more than a simple advisory role, is a calculated strategic maneuver that will undoubtedly reshape the regulatory environment and investment flows in the region. The ramifications extend far beyond Pakistan, signaling a larger game where Zhao, a master strategist, seeks to solidify Binance's dominance in the face of global regulatory pressures.

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Analysis•1/23/2026

CZ's 'Misconstrued' Trump Ties: A Crypto Lazarus Rises, But Shadows Linger

Changpeng Zhao, fresh from his pardon, attempts to rewrite history, but the scent of past deals and future ambitions hangs heavy in the air. This isn't just a PR play; it's a strategic maneuver to regain influence and potentially rebuild a tarnished empire. Expect more smoke and mirrors, but the underlying narrative – the entanglement of crypto and power – remains as compelling, and as dangerous, as ever.

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