- Binance founder Changpeng Zhao’s net worth surged to about $110 billion, placing him among the world’s top 20 richest individuals
- The rebound came just over a year after he served four months in prison following a US anti-money laundering case
- His wealth remained largely tied to his estimated 90 per cent stake in Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange
Just over a year after leaving prison, cryptocurrency entrepreneur Changpeng Zhao—widely known as CZ—has re-emerged as one of the richest individuals in the world, with his fortune surging to an estimated $110 billion.
The founder of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, saw his wealth jump by about $47 billion over the past year, according to the latest rankings from Forbes. The increase places him 17th on the global billionaire list and among fewer than 20 people whose fortunes exceed $100 billion.
The dramatic rebound follows a turbulent period for Zhao. In 2023, he pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering programme at Binance after a sweeping investigation by US authorities. As part of the settlement, Zhao agreed to pay a $50 million fine, while Binance paid a total penalty of $4.3 billion. He also stepped down as chief executive and served four months in a California prison.
Despite the legal setback, Zhao’s wealth has largely been sustained by his stake in Binance. Industry analysts estimate the privately held exchange—now headquartered in the United Arab Emirates—is worth around $100 billion. Legal filings from the investigation indicate that Zhao owns roughly 90 per cent of the company.
The exchange continues to dominate the global crypto trading market, handling more than $30 trillion in annual transaction volume across spot and derivatives markets. According to crypto data provider Artemis, Binance generated an estimated $16–$17 billion in revenue in 2024 and 2025, significantly higher than the $6.6 billion reported by its US-listed competitor Coinbase.
Beyond the exchange itself, Binance also operates the BNB Chain ecosystem, whose associated token network has a market capitalisation of about $88 billion. Zhao also personally holds cryptocurrency assets, including an estimated 1,400 Bitcoin, although the value of that holding declined roughly 25 per cent over the past year to around $100 million.
Zhao’s financial resurgence has coincided with a more favourable political environment for digital assets. US President Donald Trump has pledged pro-cryptocurrency policies and has business interests in the sector through the venture World Liberty Financial.
In March, Binance agreed to accept the company’s USD1 stablecoin as payment for a $2 billion investment from Abu Dhabi investment firm MGX, a move that boosted the profile of the Trump-linked venture. Later in October, Trump granted Zhao a full pardon for his earlier conviction, allowing him to re-enter US business circles.
However, questions surrounding Binance’s regulatory compliance remain. Recent reports by major media outlets alleged that investigators within the company had raised concerns about transactions linked to sanctioned Iranian entities. Binance has denied the claims and insisted that its compliance systems meet international standards.
Despite the controversies, Zhao remains the wealthiest individual in the cryptocurrency sector and now ranks ahead of several prominent figures in global finance, including Michael Bloomberg, Jeff Yass and Ken Griffin.
His net worth also now slightly surpasses that of Bill Gates, whose fortune has declined to around $108 billion following major philanthropic donations and his divorce from Melinda French Gates.
For Zhao, the latest wealth rankings mark a remarkable turnaround—from legal scrutiny and prison time to rejoining the ranks of the world’s financial elite.