BNB News Today: YZi Labs' $1B Builder Fund Targets Tech Democratization, Human Progress

YZi Labs, the investment and incubation arm of Binance, announced a $1 billion Builder Fund to accelerate innovation across the BNB Chain ecosystem. The fund, rebranded from Binance Labs in 2025, will target projects in decentralized finance (DeFi), artificial intelligence (AI), real-world assets (RWAs), decentralized science (DeSci), payments, and wallet developmentYZi Labs Introduces $1B Fund for BNB Chain Projects^[1]. This initiative aligns with YZi Labs' repositioning under the leadership of Binance founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, who has taken an active role in the venture capital arm since his release from prison$1B Builder Fund to Empower Builders: Backed by YZi Labs and BNB Chain^[2]. The fund aims to democratize access to technology, enhance human potential through AI, and improve quality of life via biotech integrationYZi Labs launches $1B Builder Fund to boost BNB Chain startups^[3].

The Builder Fund will provide financial support, mentorship, and ecosystem access to startups and founders. Through the Most Valuable Builder (MVB) program, now integrated into YZi Labs' EASY Residency, builders can receive up to $500,000 in funding, direct collaboration with BNB Chain teams, and access to a global network of investors and mentorsYZi Labs Unveils $1 Billion Fund for BNB Chain Projects with Up to ...^[4]. Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs, emphasized the fund's focus on "open systems that connect technology back to human progress," highlighting long-term commitments to builders in sectors such as DeFi, AI, and RWAYZi Labs Brings $1B Builders Fund to Double Down on BNB^[5].

BNB Chain's infrastructure has seen significant performance improvements, including the Maxwell Hardfork, which reduced block times to 0.75 seconds and fees to 0.05 GweiYZi Labs’ $1B Fund Fuels BNB Chain Expansion^[6]. The network now processes 26 million daily transactions, leads in decentralized exchange (DEX) trading volume, and supports over 460 million usersYZi Labs Introduces $1B Fund for BNB Chain Projects^[7]. These metrics underscore the platform's scalability and efficiency, enabling startups to innovate without technical or financial constraintsYZi Labs launches $1B Builder Fund to boost BNB Chain startups^[8].

YZi Labs has previously backed over 270 projects in the BNB ecosystem, including PancakeSwap, ListaDAO, and Aster, achieving over 270% ROI in some casesYZi Labs Unveils $1 Billion Fund for BNB Chain Projects with Up to ...^[9]. The Builder Fund builds on this legacy, with a focus on cross-sector innovation. Institutional participation is also expanding, as seen in initiatives like the BNB Digital Asset Treasury and the RWA FundYZi Labs Brings $1B Builders Fund to Double Down on BNB^[10].

The announcement coincides with BNB's market performance, including a record high of $1,336 and a market capitalization exceeding $184 billionYZi Labs’ $1B Fund Fuels BNB Chain Expansion^[11]. Analysts attribute this growth to the BNB Chain's robust infrastructure, strategic upgrades, and increasing adoption of DeFi applicationsYZi Labs Introduces $1B Fund for BNB Chain Projects^[12]. While the fund's long-term impact remains to be seen, its alignment with BNB Chain's momentum positions it as a key driver for the ecosystem's next phase of growthYZi Labs Brings $1B Builders Fund to Double Down on BNB^[13].