Overview
- Forbes' 2026 billionaire list estimates Changpeng Zhao's net worth at $110 billion, a $47 billion rise year over year that places him 17th globally and ahead of Bill Gates at $108 billion.
- The ranking attributes most of Zhao's wealth to an estimated roughly 90% ownership of Binance, which Forbes values near $100 billion.
- Forbes cites Binance metrics including about $16–17 billion in annual revenue, roughly $30 trillion in yearly trading volume, and an estimated 38% share of the global crypto exchange market.
- Zhao publicly rejected the estimate on X, arguing it is inconsistent with 2026 crypto price declines he said exceed 50%, and called the methodology unrealistic.
- Forbes notes some holdings fell over the past year, including an estimated 1,400 bitcoins down about 25% to roughly $100 million, while a large BNB position was described as largely unchanged; Binance continues to operate after 2023 DOJ penalties under CEO Richard Teng with a stated focus on compliance.