TLDR
- Changpeng Zhao’s wealth is estimated by Forbes at $110 billion, securing him the 17th position globally
- This valuation surpasses Bill Gates, whose fortune stands at approximately $108 billion
- Zhao challenged the assessment, noting cryptocurrency valuations plummeted more than 50% in 2026
- The bulk of Zhao’s fortune stems from maintaining approximately 90% ownership in Binance rather than cryptocurrency holdings
- Binance commands roughly 38% of worldwide crypto exchange volume and reportedly earned $16–17 billion during 2024–2025
In a surprising development, Forbes has positioned Changpeng Zhao, who established Binance, above Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in terms of personal wealth. The financial publication’s March 10 assessment values Zhao’s fortune at roughly $110 billion.
This valuation secures Zhao the 17th spot on the publication’s worldwide list of billionaires. Gates’ wealth was calculated at approximately $108 billion.
Zhao built Binance into the planet’s dominant cryptocurrency trading platform. His tenure as chief executive concluded in 2023 following his guilty plea to charges related to inadequate anti-money laundering controls.
As part of his settlement, Zhao paid a personal penalty of $50 million and completed a four-month incarceration period at a California correctional facility. The exchange itself remitted $4.3 billion in fines during the same resolution process.
Though no longer serving as CEO, Zhao maintains what industry insiders believe to be approximately 90% ownership of the platform. This substantial equity position forms the foundation of his estimated wealth.
Market experts place Binance’s current valuation near $100 billion. The platform facilitates tens of trillions in yearly transaction volume spanning both spot trading and derivatives instruments.
The exchange platform captures approximately 38% of global cryptocurrency trading activity. Revenue projections suggest the company generated somewhere between $16 billion and $17 billion throughout 2024 and 2025 combined, representing roughly 2.5 times Coinbase’s $6.6 billion yearly intake.
Zhao responded to the Forbes calculation soon after it gained attention. Writing on X on March 11, he noted that digital asset valuations had collapsed by over 50% in 2026 and questioned the methodology behind the increased net worth estimate.
“Wish they can apply some common sense and basic logic,” he wrote.
How Exchange Owners Can Gain During a Market Downturn
Cryptocurrency trading platforms generate income through transaction fees whether asset prices rise or fall. When markets experience heightened volatility, trading activity typically intensifies, potentially boosting platform revenues despite declining token valuations.
This fundamental business model clarifies how Binance’s corporate valuation might have maintained stability or expanded while cryptocurrency markets experienced significant contractions.
Zhao’s personal cryptocurrency portfolio has experienced different trajectory patterns. His reported holdings of approximately 1,400 Bitcoin declined roughly 25% in dollar terms throughout the past year, currently valued near $100 million. This represents only a minor fraction of his total estimated wealth.
Various social media commentators theorized that Zhao had profited through short positions during the October 10 market crash, which resulted in massive liquidations throughout derivatives trading platforms. Zhao refuted these claims directly, stating: “Never shorted.”
Where Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP Stand Now
When Forbes released its billionaire rankings, Bitcoin was exchanging hands around $71,000, with Ethereum near $2,080, and XRP trading close to $1.40.
Binance additionally operates BNB Chain, a blockchain infrastructure network featuring its own native digital asset. The ecosystem maintains a total market capitalization approaching $88 billion.
