Changpeng "CZ" Zhao

Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, born in China, moved to Canada at the age of 12. He completed his high school education in Vancouver and pursued higher studies in Montreal. After graduating, CZ honed his trading software skills in Tokyo and later worked at Bloomberg in New York City, developing software solutions for futures trading. In 2005, he co-founded Fusion Systems in Shanghai, focusing on high-frequency trading systems for brokers.

CZ's journey into the world of cryptocurrency began in September 2013, influenced by friends like Ron Cao and Bobby Lee, who introduced him to Bitcoin. This interest eventually led to the founding of Binance, which quickly rose to prominence as the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. Under CZ's leadership, Binance played a significant role in the widespread adoption of digital assets, offering a variety of cryptocurrencies and innovative features that set industry standards.

In November 2023, CZ pleaded guilty to charges related to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, resulting in a $50 million fine and his resignation as CEO of Binance. Despite these legal challenges, CZ's net worth saw substantial growth, largely due to his controlling stake in Binance. He stepped down from his role as CEO as part of a plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice, which included a historic $4.3 billion settlement for Binance.

Following his resignation, CZ expressed a desire to focus on educational initiatives and launched the Giggle Academy, a platform aimed at providing free basic education. Despite stepping away from the day-to-day operations of Binance, CZ remains a passive investor in the cryptocurrency space, emphasizing the importance of compliance in the industry's new phase. His wealth and influence continue to make him a prominent figure in the world of cryptocurrency.