Changpeng Zhao

$109.61 B

Ranked #17 in World

About Changpeng Zhao

Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, a Canadian businessman of Chinese descent, stepped down in November 2023 post a guilty plea regarding money laundering in the U.S., Bloomberg ranks him 69th in global riches. Zhao, who moved to Canada in the 80s and attended McGill University, launched a crypto exchange in 2017 that surged to the top in eight months. Faced with legal issues, Zhao and Binance admitted to wrongdoings, resulting in hefty fines. Deeply invested in crypto, Zhao plans major philanthropic giving and resides in Dubai with his family.

Born

February 05, 1977

Age

49 years

Source Of Wealth

Cryptocurrency Exchange

Industries

Finance & Investments

Citizenship

Canada

Residence

Dubai

Children

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the co-founder and former CEO of Binance, was born in Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China. In the late 1980s, he immigrated to Canada with his family and settled in Vancouver. His parents were schoolteachers in China, but his father was labeled a "pro-bourgeois intellect" and exiled after Zhao's birth. To support his family during his teenage years, Zhao worked various service jobs, including at McDonald's and a gas station. He later attended McGill University in Montreal, where he majored in computer science.

Changpeng Zhao: Family

Changpeng Zhao is of Chinese descent and holds Canadian and UAE citizenship. He acquired his Canadian visa in 1989 and left China the same year following the Tiananmen Square events. In 2005, he moved back to China and owned an apartment in Shanghai. However, he sold this apartment in 2015 to invest in Bitcoin. Currently, Zhao resides in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He has a romantic relationship with Yi He, a former Chinese travel television show host and Binance co-founder, and they have two children together.

Changpeng Zhao: Career Highlights

Zhao's career in the tech industry began with an internship in Tokyo, where he developed software for the Tokyo Stock Exchange. He then worked full-time at Bloomberg Tradebook for four years, developing futures trading software. In 2005, he launched Fusion Systems in Shanghai, focusing on high-frequency trading platforms for stockbrokers. His involvement in the cryptocurrency world started in 2013 when he was introduced to Bitcoin by Bobby Lee. Zhao heavily invested in Bitcoin, even selling his Shanghai apartment to do so. He was also involved in the development of Blockchain.info and served as the CTO of OKCoin.

Changpeng Zhao: Companies

Zhao is best known as the co-founder of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. Binance was launched in July 2017 and raised $15 million in an initial coin offering.

Within eight months (April 2018), it became the top cryptocurrency exchange globally. In 2017, Binance also launched Binance Coin (BNB), offering various benefits and discounts to users. Additionally, Binance Smart Chain was introduced in April 2019, competing with Ethereum's smart contract functionality.

Changpeng Zhao: Major Achievements

Zhao's major achievements include co-founding Binance and transforming it into the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. He is also credited with introducing Binance Coin (BNB) and launching Binance Smart Chain. In November 2023, he was ranked 69th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, with an estimated net worth of $23 billion.

Changpeng Zhao: Awards & Achievements

Zhao has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the cryptocurrency industry. These include being named one of the "50 Most Influential People in Finance" by Bloomberg Markets in 2018 and being listed among the "100 Most Influential People in the World" by Time magazine in 2019.

Changpeng Zhao: Personal Life & Legacy

Zhao is known for his philanthropic endeavors and has pledged to donate up to 99% of his wealth for charitable purposes. He is also an advocate for cryptocurrency adoption and believes in the long-term potential of blockchain technology. Despite his success, Zhao remains humble and often emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes and adapting to change.

Changpeng Zhao: Trivia

Some interesting facts about Changpeng Zhao include his love for reading and his passion for martial arts. He is also known for his straightforward and no-nonsense communication style. Additionally, Zhao is an avid user of Twitter and frequently engages with his followers, sharing his thoughts on the cryptocurrency industry and providing updates on Binance.

Wealth History

Timeline

Late 1980s

Changpeng Zhao (CZ) immigrated to Canada with his family and settled in Vancouver.

2005

CZ launched Fusion Systems in Shanghai, focusing on high-frequency trading platforms for stockbrokers.

2013

CZ was introduced to Bitcoin by Bobby Lee and invested heavily in Bitcoin, selling his Shanghai apartment.

July 2017

CZ co-founded Binance, raising $15 million in an initial coin offering.

April 2018

Binance became the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume within eight months.

2017

Binance launched Binance Coin (BNB), offering various benefits and discounts.

April 2019

Binance Smart Chain was launched, competing with Ethereum's smart contract functionality.

November 2023

CZ resigned as Binance CEO after pleading guilty to a money laundering charge in the US.

Changpeng Zhao : FAQs

What is Changpeng Zhao's current net worth?

Changpeng Zhao's current net worth is $109.61 billion.

What is Changpeng Zhao's current global rank among billionaires?

Changpeng Zhao holds the 17th position globally among billionaires.

What is Changpeng Zhao's current ranking within the Canada?

Changpeng Zhao holds the 1st position in Canada.

What was the change in Changpeng Zhao's net worth compared to the previous year?

Changpeng Zhao's net worth increased by 30.76 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 78.85 billion dollars.

What are Changpeng Zhao's main sources of wealth?

Changpeng Zhao's main source of income comes from Cryptocurrency Exchange.

In which industry does Changpeng Zhao primarily operate?

Changpeng Zhao is primarily involved in the Finance & Investments industry.

How old is Changpeng Zhao?

Changpeng Zhao is 49 years old.

Who is Changpeng Zhao and what led to his resignation as Binance CEO?

Changpeng Zhao, a Chinese-born Canadian businessman, co-founded Binance and was its CEO until November 2023, when he resigned after pleading guilty to a money laundering charge in the US.

How did Changpeng Zhao start his career before entering the crypto industry?

Changpeng Zhao began his career with an internship in Tokyo at the Tokyo Stock Exchange, followed by developing futures trading software for Bloomberg Tradebook for four years.

What significant legal challenges has Binance faced under Changpeng Zhao's leadership?

Under Changpeng Zhao's leadership, Binance faced civil lawsuits from the CFTC and SEC for alleged violations of US laws, as well as criminal prosecution resulting in Zhao's resignation and fines totaling over $4 billion for the company.

What are some of Changpeng Zhao's contributions to the cryptocurrency industry?

Changpeng Zhao co-founded Binance, which quickly became the largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume, introduced Binance Coin, and competed with Ethereum by launching the Binance Smart Chain for smart contracts.