Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, has seen his fortune rise sharply, placing him ahead of Bill Gates on the latest Forbes count. After a period marked by legal penalties, resignation as CEO, and time in prison, his net worth has climbed to $110 billion.
The surge reflects the continued strength of Binance, the cryptocurrency exchange CZ founded in 2017. Despite pressure on some smaller holdings, Binance remains the core of his wealth and the main driver behind his jump up the world’s billionaire rankings.
CZ’s Net Worth Reaches $110 Billion
Forbes estimates that CZ is now worth $110 billion, an increase of $47 billion from last year on the annual World’s Billionaires list. That makes him the 17th wealthiest person on the planet and one of just 20 people with a 12-figure fortune.
His rise also puts him ahead of Bill Gates. Gates now ranks 19th worldwide, two spots and $2 billion below CZ.
A Major Shift in 17 Months
A year and a half earlier, CZ was emerging from a sweeping investigation into Binance. He pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering program and agreed to:
- Pay a $50 million fine
- Step down as CEO
- Serve four months in a California prison
Binance also paid $4.3 billion as part of the case. Seventeen months later, CZ is richer than ever.
Why Binance Still Drives CZ’s Wealth
Although CZ stepped down as chief executive in 2023, Binance remains the foundation of his fortune. The privately held company, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, does not disclose detailed financials or a clear ownership structure.
Still, conversations with industry insiders and comparisons with other crypto exchanges suggest Binance is worth around $100 billion. Legal filings from the investigation indicate that CZ owns about 90% of the company.
Binance’s Market Position
Binance is still the world’s largest crypto exchange, with roughly 38% market share. That scale has supported estimates of both the company’s value and CZ’s personal fortune.
According to Ji Lim, an analyst at crypto data provider Artemis, Binance generated an estimated $16 billion to $17 billion in revenue in 2024 and 2025. That is roughly 2.5 times Coinbase’s $6.6 billion.
Transaction Volume and Broader Ecosystem
The exchange handles more than $30 trillion of transaction volume a year across spot and derivative markets. It also runs a broader business tied to its own blockchain network, BNB Chain.
BNB Chain has a market capitalization of $88 billion and includes frequent giveaways and incentive programs that distribute tokens to users.
Smaller Assets Took Hits, but Binance Held Firm
Some of CZ’s smaller assets declined over the past 12 months. The value of his estimated 1,400 bitcoins dropped by 25% to around $100 million.
His stash of what is believed to be the majority of Binance’s BMBB token in circulation merely held steady. Even so, those movements did little to change the bigger picture, because Binance remains the center of his wealth.
Binance Valuation and Ownership
With revenue and volume numbers at that scale, Forbes figures the exchange would likely sell for 12 figures if CZ ever decided to offload it. That estimate comes even after applying a generous discount because Binance operates largely outside of US regulations.
Unlike NASDAQ-listed Coinbase, Binance is privately held. Even without public-market transparency, estimates tied to its market position and ownership structure point to enormous value for CZ.
Political and Business Developments
CZ’s increase in wealth has come as Donald Trump, who was promised pro-crypto policies and owns crypto businesses of his own while in office, has retaken power.
Last March, Binance agreed to accept the Trump family’s crypto venture, World Liberty Financials, USD1 stablecoin, as payment for a $2 billion investment in the company made by Abu Dhabi investment firm MGX. That gave World Liberty a major boost.
In October, half a year later, Trump granted CZ a full pardon for his crimes. CZ then appeared at a Mara Lago forum hosted by World Liberty last month, re-entering America’s business circles. Trump, who said in November, “I don’t know who he is,” about CZ, has denied issuing the pardon because of the pair’s business ties.
Ongoing Compliance Questions Around Binance
Questions about Binance’s compliance with global sanctions have not disappeared. In recent weeks, reports from Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times alleged that the firm had recently fired its top investigators who flagged $1 billion moving to sanctioned Iran entities.
Those reports suggested conduct similar to what the exchange had previously been accused of by the US government. Binance has disputed the claims and defended its compliance program.
CZ’s Position Among the World’s Richest
CZ remains the wealthiest person in crypto and is now one of the wealthiest people in the world. He ranks higher on the World’s Billionaires list than several major Wall Street figures.
- Michael Bloomberg: $109 billion
- Jeff Yass: $67.4 billion
- Ken Griffin: $49.8 billion
His move past Bill Gates is especially striking. Gates spent years as the world’s richest person, but his net worth has fallen to an estimated $108 billion due to enormous charitable gifts and his 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates.
FAQ
How much is CZ worth now?
Forbes estimates CZ’s net worth at $110 billion.
Is CZ richer than Bill Gates?
Yes. CZ is estimated to be worth $110 billion, while Bill Gates is estimated at $108 billion.
What rank is CZ on the World’s Billionaires list?
CZ ranks 17th worldwide.
What is the main source of CZ’s wealth?
The core of CZ’s wealth remains Binance, the cryptocurrency exchange he founded in 2017.
How much of Binance does CZ own?
Legal filings from the investigation indicate that CZ owns about 90% of Binance.
How large is Binance in the crypto market?
Binance is still the world’s largest crypto exchange, with roughly 38% market share.
What happened to CZ in the Binance investigation?
He pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering program, agreed to pay a $50 million fine, resigned as CEO, and served four months in a California prison.
Are there still compliance concerns around Binance?
Yes. Recent reports alleged internal actions related to flagged transfers involving sanctioned Iran entities, though Binance has disputed those claims and defended its compliance program.
Video Source
An Indian crypto journalist covering the developments in the Bitcoin and blockchain industries. Her work helps readers understand key changes in the world of digital assets.
