According to Forbes, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance, has now surpassed Bill Gates in estimated net worth, placing the crypto entrepreneur richer than one of the most iconic figures in the technology sector.
During the latest crypto market surge, Zhao’s wealth was estimated at around $110 billion, pushing him ahead of Gates in the global billionaire rankings.
The milestone reflects the rapid growth of digital asset infrastructure and the enormous value being created within the crypto ecosystem.
A Fortune Built on Binance’s Global Dominance
Changpeng Zhao founded Binance in 2017, and within a few years, it became the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world by trading volume.
The platform now serves tens of millions of users globally and operates a broad ecosystem that includes:
- spot and derivatives trading
- blockchain infrastructure
- digital asset payments
- Web3 ecosystem services
Much of Zhao’s wealth is tied to his ownership stake in Binance, alongside holdings connected to the broader Binance ecosystem.
As the crypto market rallied, the estimated valuation of Binance and related digital assets surged — driving Zhao’s fortune past the Microsoft cofounder.
Crypto Wealth vs Traditional Tech Billionaires
For decades, the world’s richest individuals largely came from traditional technology companies.
Figures like:
- Bill Gates
- Jeff Bezos
- Larry Ellison
- Mark Zuckerberg
have dominated global wealth rankings.
However, the rise of the crypto industry has created a new class of billionaires whose fortunes are built on blockchain infrastructure.
CZ surpassing Gates marks one of the clearest signs that crypto wealth is beginning to rival traditional tech fortunes.
See more related: Binance Pays $283M in Compensation After Token Depregs
The Volatility of Crypto Fortunes
Unlike wealth tied to publicly traded companies, crypto fortunes can fluctuate significantly depending on market cycles.
Changes in:
- digital asset prices
- exchange trading volumes
- ecosystem valuations
can dramatically alter net worth estimates.
Because Binance is privately held, exact figures remain difficult to calculate, meaning analysts often rely on models and market indicators to estimate Zhao’s wealth.
A Symbolic Moment for the Crypto Industry
Despite these fluctuations, CZ surpassing Gates represents a powerful signal of how far the digital asset sector has come.
In less than a decade, crypto infrastructure companies have evolved from niche startups into global financial platforms capable of generating enormous economic value.
For many observers, the moment when the Binance founder overtook the Microsoft legend highlights a broader shift in global finance.
Crypto entrepreneurs are now competing directly with the world’s biggest technology founders.
