Changpeng Zhao
$78.85B
as of 01/18/26
About Changpeng Zhao
Changpeng Zhao, who goes by CZ, is the founder and former CEO of Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world.
The Chinese-Canadian coder cut his teeth building high-frequency trading systems for Wall Street's flash boys.
Zhao founded Binance in 2017 and still owns an estimated 90% of the exchange plus a stash of its BNB tokens.
In November 2023, Zhao stepped down as Binance's CEO as part of a sweeping settlement with U.S. authorities.
Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program, paid a $50 million fine and served four months in prison.
He was pardoned in October 2025 by Donald Trump, whose crypto businesses have had extensive dealings with Binance.
Personal stats
Citizenship
CanadaSource of wealth
Cryptocurrency exchangeResidence
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesBirth date
02/05/77 (age 48)Self-made
self-madeChangpeng Zhao’s fortune is worth
1M
troy ounces of gold
1M
median U.S. household
788K
median U.S. income
1.577%
U.S. credit card volume
0.315%
GDP of the United States
0.232%
United States debt
Net worth history
Annual ranking
Related people
Did you know?
Zhao was born in Jiangsu, China. His father, a professor, was labeled a pro-bourgeois intellect and temporarily exiled shortly after CZ was born.
Net worth over time
Real-time ranking
Financial assets
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