Binance Founder CZ Disputes Hurun Rich List Ranking, Calls Net worth Estimate “Off by a Factor of 100”
BEIJING – Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has publicly dismissed his recent ranking as the 13th wealthiest person in China, according to the 2025 Hurun Rich List. The list estimates Zhao’s net worth at 190 billion yuan ($26.7 billion), a figure he countered with a statement suggesting it should be divided by 100 to be more accurate.
The discrepancy highlights the challenges in accurately valuing wealth tied to volatile cryptocurrency holdings. Zhao’s fortune is largely based on his ample ownership of BNB, Binance’s native token, which has seen a roughly 61% increase in value since 2025, contributing to an approximate 41% rise in his net worth. This jump propelled him three positions higher on the list compared to the previous year. Forbes previously reported that individuals connected to Binance control 71% of BNB, with CZ personally holding 64%.
Despite stepping down as CEO amid a U.S.Department of Justice investigation, Zhao remains a significant shareholder in Binance, which continues to dominate the cryptocurrency trading landscape by volume, even with emerging competition like Hyperliquid. The debate over his actual net worth underscores the rapid fluctuations and inherent uncertainties within the digital asset market, and the difficulty in applying customary wealth assessment methods to crypto-based fortunes.
