Changpeng Zhao (CZ) — Net Worth and Career Earnings
Changpeng Zhao, known universally as CZ, founded Binance in 2017 and built it into the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. At its peak in 2021-2022, Binance generated an estimated $12 billion in annual revenue from trading fees across its global user base.
In November 2023, CZ pleaded guilty to US money laundering charges as part of a $4.3 billion settlement between Binance and the US Department of Justice — the largest corporate criminal penalty in US history. He served four months in a US federal prison and was released in September 2024. He stepped down as Binance CEO and was replaced by Richard Teng.
His net worth, estimated at approximately $33 billion, is primarily held in BNB (Binance Coin) tokens and his equity stake in Binance itself. The legal issues significantly impacted Binance's market position and CZ's personal wealth from its peak.