In this blog, you are going to read about Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao(CZ).
Changpeng Zhao, widely recognized as “CZ,” is the founder and former CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume.
His story exemplifies the classic narrative of ambition, resilience, and technological vision, with a journey that took him from humble beginnings in China to the pinnacle of the global cryptocurrency economy.
Early Life and Education OF Binance Founder
Changpeng Zhao was born on September 10, 1977, in Jiangsu Province, China, to a family of teachers. In the wake of his father being exiled for political reasons, CZ and his family moved to Vancouver, Canada, when he was 12.
Growing up, Zhao took on multiple service jobs to help support his family, including stints at McDonald’s and as a referee for volleyball matches.
He attended McGill University in Montreal, where he studied computer science, laying the technical foundation for his future endeavors.
Early Career in Finance and Technology
Upon graduating, Zhao began his professional path as a developer for the Tokyo Stock Exchange, creating trade-matching software.
He soon moved to Bloomberg Tradebook in New York, where he contributed to the development of futures trading software and rose to lead the Futures R&D team.
In 2005, fueled by entrepreneurial ambitions, he relocated to Shanghai to launch Fusion Systems, a firm known for high-frequency trading platforms used by global financial institutions.
Entry into Cryptocurrency and Founding of Binance
Changpeng Zhao first learned about cryptocurrency in 2013, when the industry was still in its infancy.
After roles as head of development at Blockchain.info and as CTO at OKCoin, he decided to commit fully to the digital assets world. He went as far as selling his Shanghai apartment to invest in Bitcoin—a testament to his conviction in blockchain technology.
In 2017, recognizing the need for faster, lower-fee exchanges, CZ founded Binance.
He raised $15 million through an initial coin offering (ICO), and Binance quickly achieved immense popularity for its streamlined user interface, vast range of supported cryptocurrencies, and ultra-competitive fees.
Within eight months of launching, Binance became the world’s leading crypto exchange by trading volume.
Global Impact and Continued Innovation
Under CZ’s leadership, Binance consistently expanded its offerings, including launching Binance Coin (BNB) in 2017 as a utility token and Binance Smart Chain in 2019, which offered lower transaction fees and smart contract functionality.
The platform and its innovations brought new opportunities and accessibility to millions of users worldwide.
By 2021, Binance was valued at approximately $100 billion, and CZ’s net worth peaked at around $94 billion during the cryptocurrency boom.
Challenges and Legacy
Binance’s meteoric rise has not been without setbacks. The exchange experienced a major hack in 2019, losing $40 million worth of Bitcoin, and CZ faced regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries regarding the company’s compliance with financial laws.
Still, CZ’s adaptive leadership and willingness to collaborate with global regulators have kept Binance at the center of the evolving crypto landscape.
In October 2025, Zhao made international headlines when President Donald Trump granted him a full pardon related to unresolved legal matters in the United States.
This event capped an already dramatic and influential career, and in 2025, Zhao became a strategic advisor for the Pakistan Crypto Council.
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