Changpeng Zhao
Overview
- Source of Wealth
- Cryptocurrency exchange
- Industry
- Finance & Investments
- Residence
- Dubai
Assets
- Binance Coin (BNB)47,011,000 shares @ ---
- Binance Coin (BNB)0 shares @ ---
- Bitcoin1,400 shares @ ---
Biography
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.
About
Zhao was born in Jiangsu, China. His father, a professor, was labeled a pro-bourgeois intellect and temporarily exiled shortly after CZ was born.
As a teenager in Vancouver, CZ pitched in to cover the household expenses, flipping burgers at McDonald's and working overnight shifts at a gas station.