BNB News Today: YZi's $1B Fund Bridges Tech and Human Progress on BNB Chain

YZi Labs, the rebranded venture capital arm of Binance, has announced a $1 billion Builder Fund to accelerate innovation within the BNB Chain ecosystem. The initiative, unveiled on October 8, 2025, targets startups and developers building on the BNB Chain, with a focus on decentralized finance (DeFi), real-world assets (RWAs), artificial intelligence (AI), decentralized science (DeSci), and payments infrastructureYZi Labs Introduces $1B Fund for BNB Chain Projects - CoinDesk^[1]. The fund aims to provide not only capital but also strategic mentorship, ecosystem access, and integration with YZi Labs' 460 million-user networkYZi Labs launches $1B Builder Fund to boost BNB Chain startups^[2].

The launch coincides with BNB's surge to all-time highs above $1,300, marking it as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. The token's recent performance, which added over $40 billion in market value in October, underscores growing investor confidence in the BNB Chain. YZi Labs attributed this momentum to the BNB Chain's high-performance infrastructure, including the Maxwell Hardfork upgrade, which reduced block times to 0.75 seconds and transaction fees to 0.05 GweiYZi Labs launches $1B Builder Fund to boost BNB Chain startups^[2].

CZ, Binance's founder, has taken a more active role in YZi Labs since his release from prison in 2024. The firm, formerly known as Binance Labs, has historically supported BNB Chain projects such as PancakeSwap, ListaDAO, and Aster. The new fund expands this commitment, with a focus on long-term builders demonstrating strong execution capabilities and product-market alignmentYZi Labs Introduces $1B Fund for BNB Chain Projects - CoinDesk^[1]. Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs, emphasized the initiative's goal of fostering "open systems that connect technology back to human progress," aligning with Binance's broader vision for decentralized innovationYZi Labs Launches $1B BNB Fund As Token Rallies To New ATHs^[3].

The Builder Fund will operate through programs like EASY Residency Season 2, which offers up to $500,000 in funding per startup and access to YZi's global network of investors and mentors. These programs will run in tech hubs including New York, San Francisco, Dubai, and SingaporeYZi Labs launches $1B Builder Fund to boost BNB Chain startups^[2]. The firm also announced the Most Valuable Builder (MVB) track, a dedicated incubation program for BNB Chain developers. Applications for these initiatives are now open, signaling YZi Labs' ambition to scale the BNB ecosystem's global reachYZi Labs Unveils $1 Billion Fund for BNB Builders^[4].

YZi Labs' structure diverges from traditional family offices, as it does not manage estate planning or tax structuring. However, the firm reportedly handles billions in assets linked to CZ and Binance co-founder Yi He. While YZi Labs clarified that its capital originates from CZ, it emphasized a focus on ecosystem growth over personal wealth managementYZi Labs Launches $1B BNB Fund As Token Rallies To New ATHs^[3]. This distinction is critical as BNB's market cap reached $182 billion in October, with CZ estimated to hold around 64% of the token supplyYZi Labs Launches $1B BNB Fund As Token Rallies To New ATHs^[3].

The fund's launch reflects broader trends in crypto venture capital, where ecosystem-driven assets are gaining traction. BNB's deflationary burn mechanism, coupled with Binance's expanding DeFi and AI integrations, has strengthened its utility. Meanwhile, institutional participation in the BNB ecosystem has grown through initiatives like the RWA Fund and BNB Digital Asset TreasuryYZi Labs Introduces $1B Fund for BNB Chain Projects - CoinDesk^[1]. Analysts note that YZi Labs' strategic investments could further solidify BNB Chain's position as a hub for blockchain innovation, particularly as the network processes 26 million daily transactionsYZi Labs launches $1B Builder Fund to boost BNB Chain startups^[2].