Changpeng Zhao’s wealth exceeded $ 100 billion — Forbes

Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao 's (CZ) fortune has reached $ 110 billion, making him richer than Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates for the first time. According to Forbes, he ranks 17th on the list of the world’s richest people and is among the top 20 people with fortunes exceeding 100 billion.

The bulk of Zhao’s wealth is tied to his 90% stake in Binance. Despite stepping down as CEO, it was the company’s growth in value that became a key factor in his wealth. It is estimated that the market value of the exchange reaches $ 100 billion, and its global market share is about 38%.

In 2023−2024, the situation was different: after an investigation in the United States, Zhao admitted to violating anti-money laundering rules, paid a $ 50 million fine, and spent four months in prison. He was released in September 2024 and later received an official pardon.

Analysts say that Binance processes more than $ 30 trillion in transactions annually, and its revenue in 2024−2025 could reach $ 16−17 billion. For comparison, Coinbase received about 6.6 billion during this period.

The growth of CZ’s fortunes coincided with a more favorable US policy towards the crypto industry. In October 2025, Binance listed a new USD1 stablecoin, and Zhao himself said that he did not plan to return to the CEO position, focusing on the role of an investor.