Overview
- Forbes’ 2026 list estimates Changpeng Zhao’s fortune at $110 billion, ranking him 17th globally and about $47 billion higher than a year ago, narrowly topping Bill Gates’ $108 billion.
- Most of the estimate hinges on Zhao’s presumed controlling stake in Binance, with industry comparisons putting the private exchange’s value near $100 billion.
- Analysts say Binance captured roughly 38% of global crypto trading and generated an estimated $16–17 billion in revenue across 2024–2025 as fee income held up through market volatility.
- Zhao challenged the estimate on X, arguing crypto prices have dropped sharply in 2026 and calling the list a guess; other trackers have shown materially lower figures this year, and his reported 1,400 BTC fell about 25% to roughly $100 million.
- Context includes Zhao’s 2023 guilty plea, a $50 million personal fine, a four‑month U.S. prison sentence completed in 2024, Binance’s $4.3 billion penalty, and a presidential pardon granted in October 2025.