CHANGPENG ZHAO BIOGRAPHY
Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as “CZ,” is the founder and CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. Born in Jiangsu, China, in 1977, Zhao moved to Canada with his family when he was young. Growing up in Vancouver, Zhao developed a strong work ethic early on, working various part-time jobs while excelling in his studies. He went on to pursue computer science at McGill University in Montreal, setting the foundation for his future in the technology and financial industries.
After graduation, Zhao worked in various prestigious roles, including developing trading systems for Bloomberg Tradebook and working at Fusion Systems in Shanghai, where he designed high-frequency trading software for financial institutions. His entry into the cryptocurrency world came in 2013, when he joined Blockchain.info as Head of Development, working alongside notable industry figures. Later, Zhao became the Chief Technology Officer of OKCoin, a platform for spot trading between digital and fiat currencies.
In 2017, Zhao launched Binance, which quickly rose to prominence due to its innovative features, user-friendly interface, and focus on customer satisfaction. Binance’s initial coin offering (ICO) raised $15 million, and within six months, the platform became the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. Binance’s rapid success can be attributed to Zhao’s forward-thinking leadership and his emphasis on building a platform that caters to users’ needs. Under his guidance, Binance expanded its offerings beyond just trading, including services like Binance Smart Chain, a blockchain platform, and Binance Charity, which utilizes blockchain technology for philanthropic efforts.
Zhao’s leadership has made him one of the most influential figures in the cryptocurrency space. Known for his visionary approach, he has been a vocal advocate of cryptocurrency’s potential to transform global finance and provide financial access to millions around the world. His personal fortune, tied heavily to the performance of Binance and its native token, Binance Coin (BNB), has made him one of the wealthiest people globally.
Zhao remains committed to driving innovation in the industry while promoting the responsible use of blockchain technology. Through Binance, he continues to lead efforts that make financial services more accessible and efficient, positioning Binance as a central player in the digital economy’s future.