Overview
- Forbes Real-Time estimates place Zhao’s net worth at roughly $110–$113 billion, ranking him 17th globally and above Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg.
- Zhao called the estimate "absolutely inaccurate," noting steep crypto price declines this year and dismissing the list as guesswork.
- Speaking at Blockchain Summit 2026, he criticized recent reporting and said allegations linking him or Binance to Iran-related illicit finance are false.
- Binance filed a defamation lawsuit on March 11 against the Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones over articles about an internal probe into alleged Iran-linked transfers.
- The valuation relies on reports that he owns about 90% of Binance and on claims of the exchange’s market leadership, while his 2024 U.S. case ended with a $4.3 billion company payment, a $50 million personal fine, and a four-month prison term.