Binance founder Changpeng Zhao remains richest in crypto with $110B net worth, surpassing Bill Gates

Zhao, better known as CZ, added about $47 billion to his fortune over the past year and remains the wealthiest person in the cryptocurrency industry. According to Forbes, he is now the 17th-richest person in the world.

His wealth now exceeds that of Gates, whose net worth is estimated at $108 billion, declining over the years due to charitable donations and the financial impact of his 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates.

Changpeng Zhao, founder of crypto exchange Binance. Photo from Reuters

A year and a half ago, Zhao had only recently been released from prison. The Binance founder pleaded guilty in 2023 to failing to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering program while serving as CEO of the exchange. He stepped down as chief executive and served four months in prison in 2024. In Oct. 2025, U.S. president Donald Trump granted Zhao a full pardon for his offenses.

Despite leaving the top role, the foundation of Zhao’s fortune remains Binance, the privately held cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in the United Arab Emirates.

Based on industry comparisons and insider estimates, Forbes values Binance at around $100 billion. Legal filings linked to the investigation suggest Zhao owns about 90% of the company.

The exchange processes more than $30 trillion in annual transaction volume across spot and derivatives markets. It also operates a broader ecosystem tied to its blockchain network, BNB Chain, which has a market capitalization of about $88 billion.

Zheng Jie Lim, an analyst at crypto data provider Artemis, told Forbes that Binance’s scale suggests the company could command a valuation in the hundreds of billions of dollars if Zhao ever decided to sell it.