 ▲ Zhao Changpeng (CZ) / AI-generated image |
Zhao Changpeng (CZ), founder and former CEO of Binance, has directly refuted Forbes’ estimate of his net worth at $111 billion, calling it nothing more than a numerical guess.
According to crypto-focused media outlet U.Today on March 11 (local time), Zhao criticized Forbes’ real-time billionaire rankings, which assessed his net worth at $111 billion, saying the data is inaccurate. He argued that the list is effectively closer to a numbers-based guessing game and took issue with Forbes’ valuation methodology. Zhao emphasized that the cryptocurrency market, including Bitcoin (BTC), is currently down about 50% from its all-time highs, asserting that such astronomical asset estimates are unreasonable under current market conditions.
Forbes recently ranked Zhao as the 17th richest person in the world, estimating that his wealth increased by $47 billion compared to the previous year. The valuation was derived by combining the estimated value of Zhao’s 90% stake in Binance with the market value of 94 million BNB tokens believed to be personally owned by him. However, Zhao maintains that his actual net worth is far lower than external projections suggest and indicated that he prefers to focus more on social contributions than on asset figures.
Zhao’s remarks come as he has once again drawn public attention following a pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump. Previously, Zhao also dismissed another institution’s estimate valuing his assets at $26 billion, calling it “so absurd it should be divided by 100.” Within the crypto industry, critics have pointed out that broad valuation methods that fail to account for the liquidity of exchange equity and issued tokens are far removed from founders’ actual ability to mobilize cash.
The cryptocurrency market is currently experiencing heightened volatility amid the Trump administration’s pro-crypto policy stance. Zhao stated that rather than flaunting personal wealth during such rapid market changes, he would prioritize the healthy development of the crypto ecosystem and helping more people. He added, “Numbers are not important; what matters is making the world a little better than it was before I arrived.”
Zhao underscored that Forbes’ asset valuation fails to reflect market volatility, warning against the frenzy of billionaire rankings. With Bitcoin’s price having fallen by half from its peak, Forbes’ estimate faces criticism for overlooking the crypto market’s real liquidity challenges and declining corporate valuations.
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