Binance Founder Questions Wealth Figures
Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, has publicly challenged the accuracy of his reported wealth in the 2025 Hurun Rich List. The ranking placed him among China’s wealthiest individuals with an estimated fortune of ¥190 billion, roughly $26 billion USD. This represented a significant 41% increase from the previous year and moved him up three spots to 13th position overall.
But CZ wasn’t having any of it. He took to X, formerly Twitter, to dismiss the figures with characteristic humor. “Nonsense, divide by 100 and that’s about right,” he wrote in response to a post sharing his ranking. His lighthearted pushback quickly resonated across the crypto community, sparking conversations about the reliability of such wealth assessments.
Community Reaction and Ranking Context
The crypto community largely sided with Zhao’s skepticism. One user commented that Hurun “always inflates figures for attention,” to which CZ simply replied with an upward-pointing emoji and the word “truth.” Another follower playfully called the ranking “胡润，胡说,” meaning “Hurun is talking nonsense,” which earned a laughing emoji response from the Binance founder.
The Hurun Research Institute’s 2025 list featured many prominent Chinese business figures, with Zhong Kuikui of Yangshengtang and Zhang Yiming of ByteDance taking the top spots. Zhao’s improved ranking was attributed to the recent rebound in cryptocurrency markets and Binance’s continued dominance in global trading volumes. Still, the methodology behind these wealth calculations remains somewhat opaque, which perhaps explains Zhao’s dismissive reaction.
Wealth Rankings and Personal Philosophy
This isn’t the first time CZ has expressed discomfort with public wealth rankings. He’s previously described such lists as “speculative and misleading,” preferring to focus on his work rather than personal financial status. His response aligns with the grounded persona he’s cultivated over the years—someone who remains unfazed by headlines and maintains focus on Binance’s mission to expand cryptocurrency adoption.
One user captured this sentiment perfectly in a comment: “Even when they rank you among billionaires, you still act like a regular guy.” Zhao’s simple reply—”That’s the goal”—summed up his approach to fame and fortune. It’s a refreshing perspective in an industry often characterized by flashy displays of wealth and status.
Broader Context and Recent Developments
The wealth ranking discussion comes at an interesting time for Zhao, who recently received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. The pardon followed Zhao’s guilty plea related to compliance failures at Binance, specifically the lack of an effective anti-money laundering program. The move drew criticism from some quarters, including U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who accused Zhao of corruption and political influence.
However, supporters were quick to clarify that Zhao wasn’t charged with money laundering itself, but rather admitted to compliance shortcomings. CZ reposted several supportive comments during this period, suggesting he’s learning to navigate public scrutiny while maintaining his characteristic composure.
What strikes me about this entire episode is how consistent Zhao remains in his public persona. Whether facing legal challenges or wealth rankings he considers inaccurate, his response tends toward humility and humor rather than defensiveness or pride. In an industry where perception often matters as much as reality, his grounded approach might just be his most valuable asset.
