Binance Founder CZ Surpasses Bill Gates With $110 Billion Net Worth

Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, has returned to the global wealth rankings, with a net worth now surpassing Bill Gates, according to new estimates.

The Binance founder is valued at around $110 billion, placing him 17th on the global billionaires list and making him the richest person in crypto.

The surge in Zhao’s wealth comes roughly 17 months after he left his role as Binance CEO following a U.S. investigation.

Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program, paid a $50 million fine, and served four months in a California prison while Binance paid $4.3 billion in penalties.

Despite those events, the core of Zhao’s fortune, his ownership in Binance, has grown significantly.