In late 2025, a seismic shift occurred in the global wealth landscape. According to Caijing magazine, Zhao Changpeng — better known as “CZ,” the Canadian-Chinese founder of Binance — claimed the title of the richest ethnic Chinese person in the world, surpassing Zhong Shanshan, chairman of Nongfu Spring. With a staggering net worth of $90 billion, CZ not only ascended to the top of the Chinese wealth pyramid but also secured a place among the world's top ten billionaires.
At just 44 years old, CZ’s journey from flipping burgers at McDonald’s to leading the largest cryptocurrency exchange on the planet is nothing short of extraordinary. His story isn’t one of inherited wealth or lucky breaks — it’s a testament to foresight, relentless work ethic, and an early bet on digital currency that paid off beyond imagination.
👉 Discover how one decision can change your financial future — just like it did for CZ.
Early Life and the Foundations of Financial Independence
Born in 1977 in Jiangsu, China, Zhao Changpeng moved with his family to Vancouver, Canada during his childhood. Growing up in a modest household, he quickly learned the value of money. By his teenage years, he was already contributing to household expenses through part-time jobs — working overnight shifts at gas stations and serving customers at McDonald’s.
These early experiences instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility and financial discipline. While many of his peers viewed such jobs as temporary setbacks, CZ saw them as stepping stones. He pursued computer science at McGill University in Montreal, laying the technical foundation that would later power his rise in the fintech world.
After graduation, CZ launched his career in high-frequency trading systems. He first developed order-matching software for the Tokyo Stock Exchange, then joined Bloomberg Tradebook, where he built futures trading platforms across global markets. By age 27, he had been promoted three times in under two years and was managing engineering teams across New Jersey, London, and Tokyo.
In 2005, driven by ambition and opportunity, CZ relocated to Shanghai and founded Fusion Systems (later known as FuXun Information Technology), a company specializing in ultra-fast trading infrastructure for brokers. The venture was successful, giving him financial stability — but not the kind of impact he craved.
The Bitcoin Bet That Changed Everything
The turning point came in 2013. During a casual poker game, a fellow player — also a venture capitalist — introduced CZ to Bitcoin. Intrigued by its decentralized nature and long-term potential, he dove headfirst into researching blockchain technology and early crypto projects.
By 2014, convinced he had found the next financial revolution, CZ made a life-altering decision: he sold his apartment in Shanghai and invested every dollar into Bitcoin when the price hovered around $600 per coin. That bold move would later multiply his wealth nearly 1,000-fold.
“I didn’t know exactly how high it would go,” CZ later said. “But I knew this technology was too powerful to ignore.”
His timing couldn’t have been better. As global interest in cryptocurrencies surged, CZ recognized a critical gap — reliable, scalable exchanges. Most platforms were slow, insecure, or lacked liquidity. In July 2017, he launched Binance with a small team and a clear mission: build the fastest, most user-friendly digital asset exchange in the world.
The response was explosive.
Within six months, Binance attracted over 6 million users and rapidly overtook competitors to become the largest cryptocurrency exchange globally — a position it has maintained through innovation, strategic expansion, and relentless focus on security and speed.
Today, Binance employs over 3,000 people worldwide and processes an average daily trading volume of $76 billion — more than the combined volume of its four largest rivals. Internal estimates place Binance’s valuation at approximately $300 billion, with CZ holding over 30% equity.
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Vision for the Future: The Metaverse as Web3’s Next Frontier
Beyond exchange operations, CZ has emerged as a thought leader shaping the future of digital economies. One of his most forward-thinking predictions? The metaverse is the next generation of the internet.
He argues that advancements in 5G networks, artificial intelligence, graphics engines, VR/AR technologies, and human-computer interaction are converging to create immersive digital environments where people live, work, play, and trade.
Unlike traditional internet platforms controlled by tech giants, CZ envisions a decentralized metaverse built by developers and users — not corporations alone. Open ecosystems that support creator economies and seamless digital ownership (powered by blockchain) will drive adoption.
“An ideal metaverse scenario,” he explains, “is open enough to attract millions of developers — many working independently — while enabling complete economic cycles within its environment. That’s when true innovation happens.”
This belief aligns with broader Web3 principles: decentralization, digital ownership, and community governance. Under CZ’s leadership, Binance has actively supported metaverse-related startups through its venture arm and incubation programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did CZ get started in crypto?
A: In 2013, CZ learned about Bitcoin from a poker friend who was a venture capitalist. After researching blockchain technology, he sold his property in Shanghai and fully invested in Bitcoin at around $600 per coin.
Q: What made Binance so successful so quickly?
A: Binance combined high-speed trading infrastructure with low fees and strong security. Its initial coin offering (ICO) raised funds rapidly, allowing aggressive marketing and platform development during a period of surging crypto demand.
Q: Is CZ still involved with Binance?
A: Yes. Despite regulatory challenges in some regions, CZ remains a central figure in Binance’s operations and strategic direction as of 2025.
Q: Why does CZ believe in the metaverse?
A: He sees the metaverse as the natural evolution of the internet — powered by blockchain for true digital ownership and open participation by developers and users worldwide.
Q: How much is Binance worth today?
A: Based on internal assessments and market activity, Binance is estimated to be valued at around $300 billion — making it one of the most valuable private fintech companies globally.
Q: Can someone replicate CZ’s success today?
A: While replicating his exact path is unlikely, early adoption of emerging technologies like DeFi, NFTs, or AI-driven blockchain applications offers similar opportunities for forward-thinking investors.
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Final Thoughts: A Blueprint for Digital Wealth
Zhao Changpeng’s rise from minimum-wage worker to crypto titan embodies the democratizing power of blockchain technology. His story underscores several universal truths: financial literacy matters; early adoption pays off; and vision beats luck in the long run.
What sets CZ apart isn’t just wealth accumulation — it’s his ability to anticipate technological shifts and act decisively. Whether it was leaving traditional finance for crypto or betting on the metaverse before mainstream acceptance, his moves reflect deep conviction backed by technical understanding.
For aspiring entrepreneurs and investors alike, CZ’s journey offers both inspiration and instruction: stay curious, embrace change, and never underestimate the power of a single bold decision.
As the digital economy evolves — from cryptocurrencies to decentralized applications and immersive virtual worlds — figures like CZ will continue shaping what comes next.
And for those watching closely? The next chapter of financial transformation may already be unfolding — all you need is insight, courage, and the willingness to take that first step.