Changpeng Zhao facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Changpeng Zhao
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Zhao in 2022
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| Born | 1977 (age 47–48) Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
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| Nationality | Canadian, UAE |
| Other names | CZ |
| Alma mater | McGill University (BSc.) |
| Occupation |
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| Known for | Co-founder and former CEO of Binance |
| Spouse(s) |
Yang Weiqing
(m. 2003–2005) |
| Partner(s) | He Yi (2014–) |
| Children | 5 |
| Changpeng Zhao | |||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 趙長鵬 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 赵长鹏 | ||||||
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Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, is a Canadian businessman born in China. He is famous for co-founding and being the former CEO of Binance. Binance is one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges.
CZ stepped down as CEO in November 2023 after dealing with legal matters in the United States. He completed a legal process in September 2024.
Forbes magazine has recognized Zhao as one of the richest people globally. As of May 2025, his wealth was estimated at $64.8 billion. He was ranked the 24th-richest person in the world.
In April 2025, Pakistan's Ministry of Finance appointed him. He became a strategic advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council. His role is to help guide and promote crypto and blockchain technology in Pakistan. In May 2025, he also became an advisor to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic. This role focuses on developing digital assets in that country.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Zhao was born in Lianyungang, a city in China's Jiangsu province. When he was 12 years old, in the late 1980s, his family moved to Canada. They settled in Vancouver, British Columbia.
His parents were both teachers in China. His father was a university instructor. During his teenage years in Canada, Zhao worked to help his family. He had jobs like working at a McDonald's and a gas station.
Zhao later attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. He studied computer science there.
Starting His Career
After finishing university, Zhao had an internship in Tokyo. He worked for a company that helped the Tokyo Stock Exchange. He developed software for matching trade orders.
Later, he worked full-time for four years at Bloomberg Tradebook. There, he developed software for trading futures.
Business Ventures
In 2005, Zhao moved to Shanghai to start his own businesses. He created his first technology company, Fusion Systems. This company was known for building very fast trading platforms. These platforms helped stockbrokers trade quickly.
Zhao first learned about Bitcoin in 2013. He was playing poker with Bobby Lee, who later founded BTCC. Lee suggested Zhao invest some money in Bitcoin. Zhao decided to invest almost all his money. He sold his apartment in Shanghai to buy Bitcoin.
In 2013, Zhao was part of the team that created Blockchain.info. He also worked as the Chief Technology Officer for OKCoin.
In 2022, Zhao invested $500 million through Binance. This investment helped finance Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter.
Binance: A Crypto Exchange
Binance was launched in July 2017. It raised $15 million in its first coin offering. Trading on the exchange began just eleven days later.
In less than eight months, Zhao grew Binance into the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. This was measured by the amount of trading happening on it. Zhao also launched Binance Coin in 2017. This is a special token that gives users benefits, like discounts on trading fees.
In April 2019, Binance launched Binance Smart Chain. This platform allows for smart contracts. It is a competitor to Ethereum.
In February 2018, Forbes listed him as one of the richest people in cryptocurrency.
In 2019, Zhao launched Binance.US, a version of Binance for the United States.
Views on Cryptocurrency
Zhao believes that people are interested in crypto because they see it growing. They trade it to make money. He has said that the market will always adjust itself.
In April 2021, Zhao shared that almost all his personal wealth was in cryptocurrency.
In April 2025, Zhao was appointed as a strategic advisor. He joined the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC). This group helps oversee and promote blockchain technology and digital assets in Pakistan.
Personal Life
Zhao is a citizen of both Canada and the United Arab Emirates. He was born in China in 1977. He moved to Canada with his family in 1989. He gained Canadian citizenship around 1992.
In 2005, he moved back to China and owned an apartment in Shanghai. In 2015, he sold this apartment to buy Bitcoin. Zhao stayed in China until the government banned crypto exchanges in late 2017. He now lives in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Zhao married Yang Weiqing in 2003. They had two children. They later divorced around 2005. Since 2014, Zhao has been in a relationship with He Yi. She is also a co-founder of Binance. They have three children together.
Giving Back
Zhao has stated his plans to donate a large part of his wealth. He aims to give away up to 99% of his money. He follows the examples of other successful business people like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.
See also
In Spanish: Changpeng Zhao para niños
