Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as CZ, remains a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency landscape. Recent estimates of his net worth have sparked debate, as he publicly challenges the figures reported by various sources. According to the latest “2025 Hengchang Shaofang Hurun Rich List” published by the Hurun Research Institute, CZ ranks 13th with an estimated fortune of 190 billion yuan (approximately $26.8 billion), marking a significant increase of 41% from the previous year.
Despite the accolades from the Hurun list, CZ has pushed back against these claims, labeling them as inaccurate in a recent post on social media platform X. He stated, “Nonsense, divide by 100 and that’s about right.” If interpreted literally, this would suggest his net worth is closer to 1.9 billion yuan (about $260 million), a stark contrast to the figures reported by media outlets and wealth estimators.
Supporters of CZ have echoed his sentiments, suggesting that the Hurun list may exaggerate wealth figures to attract attention. One user noted that the organization often requests fees to adjust or remove figures, implying a lack of reliability. Additionally, while CZ’s family office, YZi Labs, reportedly manages around $10 billion in assets and Binance generated $16.8 billion in revenue in 2024, these figures do not necessarily reflect his personal wealth, which can fluctuate based on the market value of the cryptocurrency assets he holds.
CZ’s Rise in the Crypto World
CZ founded Binance in 2017, rapidly establishing it as the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. He retains an estimated 90% stake in the company and holds a significant amount of BNB, Binance’s native token. However, his trajectory has not been without challenges. In November 2023, CZ stepped down as CEO following a settlement with U.S. authorities regarding his company’s anti-money laundering practices. This settlement included a fine of $50 million and a four-month prison sentence, although he has since received a pardon from former President Trump, a move that was met with mixed reactions within the crypto community.
Breaking Down CZ’s Investment Portfolio
A post from Binance Square earlier this year revealed that CZ’s portfolio is largely comprised of BNB, which constitutes approximately 98% of his assets. Other holdings include Bitcoin at 1.3% and stablecoins like EURI and USDT, at 0.17% and 0.03% respectively. His comment, “I am a boring guy,” suggests he may not be as focused on diversifying his investments as some might expect.
Current estimates of CZ’s wealth vary significantly. Forbes recently pegged his net worth at $87.3 billion following a surge in BNB’s value, while the Bloomberg Billionaires Index placed him at $65.4 billion. As of October 28, 2025, Forbes’ real-time rankings list CZ’s net worth at $88 billion, positioning him as the 21st richest person in the world.
Despite these promising figures, CZ maintains that his actual wealth is far less than reported, hinting at a “million-dollar figure.” This disparity raises questions about the accuracy of wealth estimates in the fast-evolving and often volatile cryptocurrency market, leaving the true extent of his fortune open to interpretation. As the crypto industry continues to mature, the public remains fascinated by the financial narratives surrounding its key players, making CZ’s situation a significant case study in wealth, influence, and the complexities of asset valuation.
