Changpeng Zhao
Canada
Net Worth
$58B
Source of Wealth
Binance
Global Rank
#28 of 100
About Changpeng Zhao
Changpeng Zhao, universally known as CZ, is the visionary founder of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. Born in Jiangsu, China, and raised in Vancouver, Canada, CZ's journey from immigrant teenager to one of the richest people on the planet is a remarkable testament to entrepreneurial ambition and technical brilliance. Before founding Binance, he built deep expertise in financial technology, working on trading systems for the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Bloomberg.
CZ launched Binance in July 2017 with a successful initial coin offering, and within just 180 days, it became the largest crypto exchange in the world. His ability to move fast, build robust technology, and serve a global user base set Binance apart in an intensely competitive market. Under his leadership, Binance expanded to offer hundreds of trading pairs, futures, staking, lending, and an entire ecosystem of blockchain services used by tens of millions of people worldwide.
Beyond Binance, CZ has been a tireless advocate for blockchain technology and financial inclusion. He believes that cryptocurrency has the power to bring financial services to the billions of people who remain unbanked around the world. His personal story — from modest immigrant beginnings to global tech titan — embodies the transformative potential of technology and perseverance.
Key Achievements
Founded Binance
Created Binance in 2017, which became the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume within six months of launch, serving over 150 million registered users globally.
Pioneered Crypto Ecosystem
Built Binance into a comprehensive ecosystem including Binance Smart Chain (BNB Chain), Binance Academy, Binance Labs, and Trust Wallet, advancing blockchain adoption across multiple dimensions.
BNB Token Success
Launched Binance Coin (BNB), which grew from a utility token into one of the top cryptocurrencies by market capitalization and powers a thriving decentralized finance ecosystem.
Financial Technology Expertise
Built world-class trading systems at Bloomberg and the Tokyo Stock Exchange before applying that expertise to create Binance's industry-leading matching engine capable of processing millions of orders per second.
Notable Quotes
“If you want to be an entrepreneur, don't wait for the perfect moment. Start now.”
— Changpeng Zhao
“Value is created by solving problems. The bigger the problem you solve, the more value you create.”
— Changpeng Zhao
“I don't own any houses, cars, or yachts. I'm fully in crypto.”
— Changpeng Zhao
Key Decisions
Went all-in on cryptocurrency after learning about Bitcoin at a poker game, selling his apartment in Shanghai to buy Bitcoin, demonstrating the conviction that would define his career.
Founded Binance and conducted a successful ICO that raised $15 million, using the capital to build the fastest and most user-friendly crypto exchange on the market.
Launched Binance Smart Chain, creating a high-speed, low-cost blockchain that became a major hub for decentralized finance and attracted thousands of developers and projects.
Expanded Binance's product suite to include futures, options, staking, and lending, transforming the platform from a simple exchange into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.
Early Life
Changpeng Zhao was born in Jiangsu, China, in 1977 and emigrated to Vancouver, Canada, with his family as a teenager. His father, a university professor, had been exiled during the Cultural Revolution. Growing up in Canada, CZ worked a variety of jobs including flipping burgers at McDonald's and working overnight shifts at a gas station. He studied computer science at McGill University in Montreal, then built his early career in financial technology — developing trading systems for the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Bloomberg Tradebook. It was a casual conversation about Bitcoin at a poker game in 2013 that changed his life, leading him to sell his apartment to buy cryptocurrency.
Companies & Ventures
Binance
$45B+ (2022 peak estimate)Founder & Former CEO · Est. 2017
Binance is the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving over 150 million registered users across more than 180 countries. CZ launched Binance in July 2017 with a $15 million initial coin offering, and the platform became the largest crypto exchange within just six months. Binance's success is built on its technology — a matching engine capable of processing 1.4 million orders per second — and its relentless pace of product development.
Investment Principles
Conviction Over Consensus
CZ's decision to sell his apartment in Shanghai to buy Bitcoin in 2013 exemplifies his philosophy of acting on deep conviction rather than waiting for consensus. When he saw the potential of decentralized money, he committed fully — a pattern that repeated when he left a secure job to found Binance.
Speed of Execution Beats Perfection
Binance launched with a minimum viable product and iterated rapidly based on user feedback. CZ has repeatedly emphasized that in fast-moving markets, the ability to ship quickly and adapt is more valuable than waiting to build the perfect product.
Build for a Global Market from Day One
Unlike many crypto exchanges that started in one market and expanded slowly, Binance was designed from inception to serve a global user base. This global-first approach, combined with multilingual support and localized products, was key to Binance's rapid ascent.
Explore More
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