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

YZi Labs, the venture capital arm rebranded from Binance Labs, has announced a $1 billion Builder Fund to accelerate innovation on the BNB Chain ecosystem. The initiative, unveiled on October 8, 2025, focuses on supporting founders and developers across sectors including decentralized finance (DeFi), artificial intelligence (AI), real-world assets (RWAs), decentralized science (DeSci), payments, and blockchain wallets. The fund aims to provide not only financial backing but also strategic mentorship, ecosystem integrations, and access to YZi Labs' 460 million-user network$1B Builder Fund to Empower Builders: Backed by YZi Labs and BNB Chain^[1]. Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs, emphasized the fund's role in fostering "open systems that connect technology back to human progress," aligning with BNB Chain's vision of combining decentralization, scalability, and securityYZi Labs Introduces $1B Fund for BNB Chain Projects^[2].

The Builder Fund builds on YZi Labs' existing incubation programs, such as the Most Valuable Builder (MVB) accelerator, which has supported over 200 projects across ten seasons. Under the new structure, MVB will operate under YZi's EASY Residency program, offering startups up to $500,000 in funding and direct collaboration with BNB Chain teamsYZi Labs Launches $1B Builder Fund to Boost BNB Chain Startups^[3]. This expansion reflects a broader strategy to strengthen the BNB ecosystem, which has seen significant growth metrics. The network now processes 26 million daily transactions, leads in decentralized exchange (DEX) trading volume and daily active users, and ranks third in cryptocurrency market capitalization, with BNB surpassing $1,330$1B Builder Fund to Empower Builders: Backed by YZi Labs and BNB Chain^[1].

Technical upgrades like the Maxwell Hardfork have further enhanced BNB Chain's appeal. Block times were reduced to 0.75 seconds, and transaction fees dropped to 0.05 Gwei, attracting developers and users to the platform$1B Builder Fund to Empower Builders: Backed by YZi Labs and BNB Chain^[1]. These improvements have coincided with institutional interest, including a $1.6 billion Solana treasury acquisition by Forward Industries and growing participation in BNB-based real-world asset (RWA) initiativesYZi Labs Launches $1B BNB Fund As Token Rallies To New ATHs^[5]. YZi Labs also highlighted its role in advancing institutional adoption through projects like the BNB Digital Asset Treasury and partnerships with entities such as China RenaissanceYZi Labs Brings $1B Builders Fund to Double Down on BNB^[4].

The fund's launch follows a period of strategic repositioning for YZi Labs, which transitioned from Binance's venture arm to an independent entity under founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao's renewed leadership. Zhao's increased involvement, following his release from prison in 2024, has reshaped the firm's focus on Web3, AI, and biotech startupsYZi Labs Introduces $1B Fund for BNB Chain Projects^[2]. While YZi Labs clarified it is not a traditional family office, its structure remains closely tied to Zhao's broader investment activities, including managing assets linked to Binance's ecosystemYZi Labs Launches $1B BNB Fund As Token Rallies To New ATHs^[5].

Analysts suggest the $1B Builder Fund could further solidify BNB Chain's position as a hub for blockchain innovation, particularly as the network competes with Ethereum and Solana in DeFi and AI integration. With BNB's market cap reaching $184 billion and a 50% surge in the past month$1B Builder Fund to Empower Builders: Backed by YZi Labs and BNB Chain^[1], the fund's emphasis on long-term builders aligns with broader trends in decentralized infrastructure development. Applications for the next MVB cohort are now open, signaling YZi Labs' commitment to scaling its impact across global markets$1B Builder Fund to Empower Builders: Backed by YZi Labs and BNB Chain^[1].