Have you ever heard of Changpeng Zhao? If not, it’s time to get acquainted with this crypto kingpin. Known for his business savvy and strategic approach to the cryptocurrency market, CZ has become a prominent figure in the industry. But just how much is he worth? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Changpeng Zhao’s net worth and explore how he made his money. Get ready to be amazed!

About Changpeng Zhao

Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ, is a Chinese-Canadian entrepreneur and the founder of Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange. He was born in Jiangsu Province, China, on November 17, 1977. CZ’s family relocated to Vancouver, Canada, in the late 1980s, following his father’s exile during the Cultural Revolution in China. Currently based in Dubai, he holds both Canadian and UAE citizenship.

CZ studied computer science at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, laying the foundation for his career in tech and crypto. Due to his family’s financial constraints, Changpeng Zhao worked several odd jobs to fend for himself and cover his college fees. Post-college, CZ worked with the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Bloomberg, and Fusion Systems, focusing on developing software for trading purposes.

What is Changpeng Zhao’s Net Worth?

According to Forbes’ Billionaires List, Changpeng Zhao’s net worth is estimated at $81.9 billion. The Chinese-born Canadian made such a staggering amount from his ventures in crypto as a Binance co-founder and an investor in several major sectors. Changpeng ranks #24 in Forbes’ Billionaires (2025) and #22 in Singapore’s 50 Richest (2021).

In 2023, CZ’s net worth hit a historical low, reaching $10.5 billion, following his arrest for financial misconduct. However, after his release from custody, the former Binance CEO has turned his fortunes around, making over 8× his wealth through crypto and investments. Currently, CZ’s crypto portfolio includes approximately 94 million BNB tokens, and varying amounts of USDT(Tether), BTC, and EURI.

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How Did CZ Make His Wealth?

The bulk of Changpeng Zhao’s net worth stems from his venture into crypto, which began in 2013, when he joined Blockchain.info. Later, he joined OkCoin as the Chief Technology Officer.

However, Changpeng’s central turning point started after he took a rather outrageous risk in crypto trading: CZ sold his Shanghai apartment and invested all proceeds in Bitcoin. This investment yielded immense profit and kick-started his road to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest crypto personalities.

In 2017, Changpeng Zhao co-founded Binance, following a successful initial coin offering of $15 million. Binance operated as a cryptocurrency exchange platform that allowed crypto users to trade assets at low fees. The platform’s high transaction speed and interactive UI soon made it the most-used platform for crypto trading and exchange.

Things got even better at Binance with the introduction of Binance Coin (BNB), which offered users trading fee discounts, and Binance Smart Chain, a blockchain that supports smart contracts. The company’s short and long-term successes greatly contributed to Changpeng Zhao’s $81.9 billion net worth.

However, in late 2023, Changpeng Zhao faced several instances of scrutiny regarding the legality of Binance operations. The climax of the situation came when the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the SEC filed lawsuits against Binance and CZ, alleging violations of U.S. financial laws.

After much deliberation and interrogation, CZ pleaded guilty to violating the US anti-money laundering policy, leading to his 4-month prison sentence. In November 2023, Changpeng Zhao stepped down as Binance CEO and paid a $50 million fine as pronounced by the court.

Although Zhao spent four months in jail and his company lost $4.3 billion to pay fines incurred by the numerous allegations, he remains a significant figure in crypto. After his release in 2024, Changpeng Zhao became a full-time investor, staking millions on companies and other crypto projects.

In 2025, CZ invested in Vana and EthSign and currently holds the Strategic Advisor position at the Pakistan Crypto Council. He also developed a philanthropic reputation, donating millions to several startups and projects reflecting his global commitment to amazing crypto.

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YZi Labs

YZi Labs represents Zhao’s most recent innovation and a product of his reunion with Binance co-founder Yi He, following his 4-month sentence. The firm, nicknamed “the Family Office”, is a modified version of Binance Labs, the former venture capital (VC) arm of Binance Holdings.

The firm is led by Ella Zhang, one of the founders of Binance Labs. However, Changpeng Zhao also plays an active role in mentoring and guiding the firm’s strategic investments.

YZi Labs (est. 2025) has expanded its investment focus beyond Web3 and blockchain projects to include investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology. The VC manages over $10 billion, with investments in more than 250 projects, including Sky Mavis, LayerZero, Aptos Labs, and Polygon. YZi’s high-valued token assets give it an edge over competitors like a16z crypto and Polychain Capital.

Bottom Line

CZ’s name will forever be mentioned in cryptocurrency thanks to his ideas and skills in founding the Binance exchange. The Chinese crypto guru is also a multibillionaire, with $81.9 billion to his name in 2025. As expected of a serial businessman, Changpeng Zhao isn’t stopping at crypto alone, as he continues to diversify into sectors like AI and biotech, among others. In summary, Changpeng Zhao’s net worth story proves that things may not be rosy from the start, but we can turn it all around whenever we want!