BNB News Today: CZ Rejects Forbes' Fortune, Champions Impact Over Wealth

Changpeng Zhao, the founder and former CEO of Binance, has publicly disputed Forbes' estimation of his net worth at $87.3 billion, calling the figure "way too high" and emphasizing that personal wealth does not define success. The billionaire, known in the crypto community as CZ, has instead focused on societal contributions and the growth of the Binance ecosystem since stepping down as CEO in 2023 amid a $4.3 billion regulatory settlement with U.S. authorities .

Forbes' calculation of CZ's wealth is based on two key components: his 90% ownership stake in Binance and his estimated 64% control of the exchange's native token, BNB. The publication values CZ's Binance equity at $33 billion and his BNB holdings-94 million tokens-at $28 billion, reflecting a 50% liquidity discount due to the token's limited tradability . This valuation assumes BNB's current price of $1,241.81, a record high reached in October 2025, which has driven Binance's market capitalization to $171.93 billion .

CZ, however, has rejected the accuracy of these figures, stating on social media that "what matters is how many people we can help, and by how much." His comments align with his long-standing public stance that wealth accumulation is secondary to fostering innovation and improving global access to blockchain technology. This perspective has been reinforced by Binance's recent strategic shifts, including the appointment of Richard Teng as CEO and the delisting of privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero to meet heightened regulatory demands .

The dispute occurs amid a broader transformation at Binance. Following CZ's guilty plea to anti-money laundering violations and a four-month prison sentence in 2024, the exchange has prioritized compliance, expanding its board to include DOJ-appointed observers and overhauling governance structures. Despite these changes, Binance has maintained its dominance in the crypto market, with CZ's 90% equity stake remaining intact. The exchange's user base has also grown to 275 million active users, reflecting its continued global influence .

BNB's performance has been a critical driver of CZ's wealth. The token's surge to an all-time high in October 2025 underscores its role as a utility and governance asset within the Binance ecosystem. Analysts attribute BNB's resilience to factors such as Binance's quarterly token-burning mechanisms, which reduce supply and increase scarcity, as well as institutional interest, including a $1 billion fund announced by CZ's post-Binance venture, YZi Labs, to support developers on the BNB Chain .

The controversy highlights the challenges of valuing crypto assets and their founders in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. While Forbes' methodology reflects market-driven assumptions, CZ's rebuttal underscores the subjective nature of wealth estimation in the crypto sector. His focus on utility and social impact, rather than financial metrics, aligns with broader industry trends emphasizing decentralization and long-term value creation .

As the crypto market continues to mature, the debate over CZ's net worth reflects deeper questions about the balance between innovation and regulation. Binance's post-CZ strategy, centered on compliance and ecosystem development, will likely shape the exchange's trajectory in the coming years. Meanwhile, CZ's ongoing involvement in blockchain and AI ventures suggests his influence on the industry remains significant, even as he distances himself from day-to-day operations at Binance.

Source: [1] Changpeng Zhao - Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/profile/changpeng-zhao/)

[2] Changpeng Zhao's Legacy-Binance, Controversies, and the Future (https://thecoinomist.com/personalities/changpeng-zhaos-legacy-binance-controversies-and-the-future/)

[3] Trump Wants Bitcoin Monopoly | CZ's Billions Double ... (https://www.forbes.com/sites/cryptoconfidential/2024/06/17/trump-wants-bitcoin-monopoly--czs-billions-double-in-jail/)

[4] BNB (Binance Coin) Soars Past $1,200 to Fresh All-Time High ... (https://markets.financialcontent.com/stocks/article/breakingcrypto-2025-10-7-bnb-binance-coin-soars-past-1200-to-fresh-all-time-high-amidst-bullish-market-momentum)

[5] Why Is BNB So Resilient Amid the Crypto Market ... (https://decrypt.co/343377/bnb-resilient-crypto-market-pullback)

[6] Binance Founder CZ Responds to Forbes Billionaires List (https://coincentral.com/binance-founder-cz-responds-to-forbes-billionaires-list-and-wealth-ranking/)

[7] How crypto's richest billionaire doubled his net worth ... (https://www.forbes.com.au/news/billionaires/how-binances-billionaire-crypto-founder-doubled-his-net-worth-behind-bars/)

[8] Binance's CZ Refutes Forbes' $87 Billion Net Worth Claim (https://theccpress.com/binance-cz-rejects-forbes-net-worth/:~:text=Changpeng%20Zhao%2C%20founder%20of%20Binance%2C%20has%20rejected%20Forbes%E2%80%99)