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The crypto spotlight is back on Binance founder Changpeng Zhao
Changpeng Zhao
Changpeng Zhao, populalrly known as CZ, is a Chinese-Canadian businessman. He founded Binance, the biggest cryptocurrency exchange in the world based on trading volume. CZ came across Bitcoin (BTC) in 2013 from a friend.
Quick Facts
Full Name
Changpeng Zhao
Birth
1977 in Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
Nationality
Chinese-Canadian, UAE
Education
BSc. from McGill University
Marital Status
Married to Yang Weiqing
Famous For
Binance, Advocate for decentralized finance, blockchain tech.
Net Worth
$59.4B (refer for realtime)
Before starting Binance in 2017, he was the Head of Development at Blockchain.info and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at OKCoin. Under CZ, Binance launched an ICO (Initial Coin Offering) that raised $15 million and rapidly became the largest exchange within months.
To improve trading options, the firm introduced Binance Smart Chain (BSC), Binance Labs, Binance Academy, Binance Launchpad, and other blockchain-based solutions. CZ has influenced the global adoption of crypto by offering regulatory compliance, DeFi solutions, and infrastructure for digital assets.
CZ’s Career Timeline
Tokyo Stock Exchange (2001–2003) – Developed trading systems for financial institutions.
Bloomberg Tradebook (2003–2005) – Worked as a software developer for high-frequency trading systems.
Fusion Systems (2005–2013) – Co-founded this financial technology firm specializing in ultra-low-latency trading solutions.
Blockchain.info (2013–2014) – Served as Head of Development, working with early Bitcoin adopters like Roger Ver and Ben Reeves.
OKCoin (2014–2015) – Worked as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at one of the largest fiat-to-crypto exchanges at the time.
Binance (2017–2023) – Founded Binance and led it to become the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange before stepping down as CEO in 2023.
Awards and Recognizations of CZ
List of achievements
Year
Bloomberg 50 – Most Influential People in Finance
2021
Forbes Crypto Rich List – Billionaire Status
2022
Top 10 Most Influential People in Crypto (CoinDesk)
2022
Binance – World’s Largest Crypto Exchange by Volume
2018-23
There were regulatory issues in some countries about crypto. However, CZ continued to support decentralization, financial freedom, and innovation in the cryptocurrency industry. After reaching an agreement with U.S. regulators over compliance violations, in 2023, he resigned as CEO of Binance.
Useful Links To Connect With CZ
X (formerly Twiter)
https://twitter.com/cz_binance?
CZ_Binance (@changpengzhao)
Changpeng Zhao – Binance | LinkedIn
EntrepreneurInvestorChief Executive Officer
as a new Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report claims he agreed to provide evidence against Tron founder Justin Sun
Justin Sun
Justin Sun is a well-known figure in the cryptocurrency industry, entrepreneur, and former diplomat. He established the Tron blockchain DAO system and rose to prominence in the cryptocurrency space as a result of his works. He represented Grenada permanently at the WTO in Geneva as a diplomat.
Quick Facts
Full Name
Justin Sun
Birth
30-07-1990 in Xining, Qinghai, China
Nationality
Chinese, Grenadian
Education
Peking University, University of Pennsylvania
Marital Status
Unmarried as of 2025
Net Worth
$2B estimated
Additionally, Justin mentors BitTorrent, Animoca, Poloniex, and other blockchain projects. He was in the news recently due to the standoff with the US SEC charge and a meal with Warren Buffet has made headlines.
Justin Sun – Career Highlights
2017: Founded TRON to revolutionize decentralized content sharing and blockchain scalability.
2018: Acquired BitTorrent to integrate decentralized file sharing into the TRON ecosystem.
2018: Launched TRON’s mainnet, offering a high-speed, scalable blockchain for digital assets.
2018: Achieved record-breaking TRX token sales, fueling mass crypto adoption globally.
2019: Forged strategic global partnerships to expand TRON’s decentralized ecosystem.
2020: Advanced TRON’s role in decentralized finance (DeFi) with innovative blockchain projects.
2021: Earned media recognition in Forbes and Bloomberg as a visionary in the crypto space.
2022: Expanded TRON’s ecosystem with new DeFi, NFT, and Web3 initiatives.
2023: Pushed forward groundbreaking Web3 and NFT projects, cementing TRON’s industry leadership.
In November 2024, Justin Sun contributed $30 million to World Liberty Financial (WLF). It is a cryptocurrency venture backed by the Trump family. He intervened when the project seemed to be having issues raising the money it needed, putting the Trump family at risk of receiving a payoff.
Awards & Achievements of Justin Sun
Year
Title/organization
Description
2018
Forbes
Recognized for exceptional achievements in blockchain innovation.
2019
Crypto Awards
Honored for pioneering leadership in digital currency innovation.
2020
World Blockchain Summit
Awarded for driving growth in TRON’s decentralized ecosystem.
2021
Business Insider
Recognized as one of the leading CEOs in the blockchain industry.
2022
CoinMarketCap Awards
Celebrated for a significant impact on global cryptocurrency trends.
Useful Links To Connect with Justin Sun
Platform
Link
X (formerly Twitter)
H.E. Justin Sun (@justinsuntron) / X
H.E. Justin Sun – HTX | LinkedIn
Official Website
https://justinsuntron.com
https://www.instagram.com/justinsuntron
EntrepreneurInvestorCrypto and Blockchain ExpertChief Executive Officer
as part of his plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). While CZ has yet to comment directly on the allegation, he has slammed the WSJ for publishing what he calls another “baseless” attack.
CZ Pushes Back Amid Renewed Scrutiny
On April 11, CZ took to X, accusing the WSJ of attacking him “again without any basis.” This clash is the latest ongoing conflict between Zhao and the media outlet. Just last month, WSJ had reported that Binance was pursuing a partnership with a Trump-linked crypto venture and seeking a pardon for CZ claims he labeled as “pure fabrication.”
Now, with the new DOJ-related angle, the tension has escalated. According to the WSJ, CZ allegedly agreed to supply prosecutors with information on Justin Sun, who is under investigation by the SEC.
However, Justin Sun, in response, called the allegations “baseless” and publicly defended CZ, calling him both a mentor and a close friend. He stressed that Tron maintains honest and direct communication with the DOJ and praised President Trump’s crypto leadership, expressing confidence in the U.S. market.
Binance Eyes U.S. Comeback
The backdrop to this controversy is Binance’s renewed effort to rebuild its U.S. standing. The company’s leadership, including CEO Richard Teng, recently met with Treasury officials to push to reduce or eliminate the independent monitor currently overseeing its anti-money-laundering controls. That monitor was part of a $4.3 billion settlement following Binance’s 2023 guilty plea for allowing illicit financial activity on its platform.
Also Read : Binance Lawsuit Paused 60 Days as SEC Focuses on New Crypto Task Force ,
Reports also suggest that Binance is aligning itself with Trump-linked ventures, specifically World Liberty Financial’s USD1 stablecoin, heavily backed by Justin Sun and the Trump family. A listing of the token on Binance could generate major profits while potentially opening the door for CZ’s pardon under a new administration.
The Bigger Picture
As U.S. crypto enforcement shifts under Trump-era changes, including the pause of DOJ monitorships, Binance appears to be positioning itself for a strategic return. CZ, despite serving a brief prison term, remains a central figure in the company’s vision for revival. While he denies ties to World Liberty Financial, insiders say CZ’s long-standing connections may play a key role in Binance’s next chapter.
With power players like Justin Sun, the Trump family, and the DOJ interests all converging, CZ’s future and Binance’s U.S. comeback hangs in the balance.
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