Binance Founder CZ Surpasses Bill Gates in Net Worth Amid Cryptocurrency Price Decline

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ, has surpassed Bill Gates in net worth on the Forbes 2026 World's Billionaires list. According to the list, CZ's estimated net worth is $110 billion, while Bill Gates' net worth is $108 billion.

The estimate is based on CZ's approximately 90% ownership stake in Binance, which accounts for the majority of his net worth. Forbes values this stake at around $100 billion.

CZ took to X shortly after the list was published to dispute the valuation, citing a decline in major cryptocurrency prices by over 50%. He argued that this would logically drag down the value of any crypto-adjacent business.