BNB News Today: YZi Labs' $1B Builder Fund Aims to Bridge Tech and Human Progress

YZi Labs, the rebranded venture capital arm of Binance, has announced a $1 billion Builder Fund to accelerate innovation on the BNB Chain ecosystem. The initiative targets projects in decentralized finance (DeFi), artificial intelligence (AI), real-world assets (RWAs), decentralized science (DeSci), and payments, aiming to solidify BNB Chain's position as a global blockchain infrastructure leader. The fund, part of YZi Labs' broader strategy to support decentralized systems that "connect technology back to human progress," will provide startups with direct funding, mentorship, and access to Binance's 460 million-user ecosystemYZi Labs Introduces $1B Fund for BNB Chain Projects^[1].

The Builder Fund follows recent upgrades to BNB Chain's infrastructure, including the Maxwell Hardfork, which reduced block times to 0.75 seconds and transaction fees to 0.05 Gwei. These improvements have driven the chain to 26 million daily transactions and a global ranking as the top decentralized exchange (DEX) by trading volumeYZi Labs Fires Up $1 Billion Builder Fund to Take BNB Chain Global^[2]. BNB Chain's performance metrics, including low fees and high throughput, position it as a scalable platform for developers seeking to build applications in AI, DeFi, and RWA tokenization. YZi Labs emphasized that the fund aligns with the chain's focus on "democratized access and ownership" while leveraging its existing partnerships with projects like PancakeSwap and ListaDAOYZi Labs Introduces $1B Fund for BNB Chain Projects^[1].

To operationalize the fund, YZi Labs has expanded its EASY Residency program, now operating in New York, San Francisco, Dubai, and Singapore. Startups accepted into the program can receive up to $500,000 in direct support, alongside mentorship from BNB Chain and YZi Labs' core teams. The Most Valuable Builder (MVB) track, integrated into the residency, prioritizes projects demonstrating long-term viability and alignment with BNB Chain's strategic goals. Applications for the program are open on a rolling basis, with selected projects gaining exposure through Binance's Alpha, Futures, and Spot listing channelsYZi Labs Fires Up $1 Billion Builder Fund to Take BNB Chain Global^[2].

The fund's focus on AI and RWA reflects YZi Labs' broader investment strategy. Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs, highlighted the need for "on-chain systems that connect technology back to human progress," emphasizing AI's potential to enhance productivity and RWA's role in bridging digital and physical economiesYZi Labs Introduces $1B Fund for BNB Chain Projects^[1]. The firm has previously supported projects such as Aster and Aspecta, while also advancing institutional participation through initiatives like the BNB Digital Asset Treasury and RWA Fund by China RenaissanceYZi Labs Fires Up $1 Billion Builder Fund to Take BNB Chain Global^[2].

YZi Labs' commitment to the BNB Chain ecosystem is underscored by its $10 billion portfolio and support for over 300 projects across 25 countries. The Builder Fund complements existing programs, including global events and partnerships with platforms like CoinMarketCap, to foster collaboration between traditional institutions and Web3 innovators. With BNB recently trading above $1,330 and the chain's market capitalization ranking third among digital assets, the fund aims to capitalize on the network's momentum while addressing gaps in infrastructure and usabilityYZi Labs Fires Up $1 Billion Builder Fund to Take BNB Chain Global^[2].

The announcement coincides with renewed market optimism, including institutional participation. Franklin Templeton's Benji Technology Platform, for instance, has integrated BNB Chain to enable tokenized RWAs with compliance and scalability. Roger Bayston, Franklin Templeton's Digital Assets head, noted the platform's goal to "meet investors where they're active" while maintaining security standardsYZi Labs Fires Up $1 Billion Builder Fund to Take BNB Chain Global^[2]. As BNB Chain continues to attract developers and institutional capital, YZi Labs' $1 billion investment signals a strategic push to position the chain as a hub for next-generation decentralized innovation.