The Birth of Binance In July 2017, Zhao launched Binance, an exchange designed to make crypto trading faster, safer, and more accessible. The company raised $15 million through an initial coin offering (ICO) and began trading just eleven days later. The response was phenomenal. Within just eight months, Binance became the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world by trading volume — a record-breaking rise that made headlines globally. Zhao also introduced Binance Coin (BNB) in 2017, a utility token that offered users trading fee discounts and other benefits. In April 2019, Binance expanded further by launching Binance Smart Chain (BSC) — a blockchain network supporting smart contracts and emerging as a strong competitor to Ethereum. Recognition and Global Expansion Zhao’s meteoric rise didn’t go unnoticed. In February 2018, Forbes ranked him third on its list of “The Richest People in Cryptocurrency,” estimating his net worth between $1.1 and $2 billion. Investments and Strategic Influence CZ’s influence extends far beyond Binance. In 2022, he invested $500 million through Binance to help Elon Musk finance the acquisition of Twitter (now X) — signaling his growing presence in both tech and media landscapes. In 2025, Zhao reached another milestone when he was appointed as a Strategic Advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), marking his expanding leadership role in shaping crypto policy and innovation across developing nations. Legacy of a Crypto Pioneer Changpeng Zhao’s journey from a fast-food worker in Canada to a global fintech pioneer is a masterclass in vision, courage, and innovation. He transformed not just his own destiny but also the financial possibilities for millions of people worldwide. As the crypto industry continues to evolve, Zhao remains at its forefront — a symbol of what happens when determination meets disruption. “If you want to change the world, build something that helps people trade their ideas freely.” — Changpeng Zhao (CZ) #chengpengzhao #Binance #Birthofbinance
Binance Coin (BNB): Definition, History, ICO, and Uses Binance Coin (BNB) holds the distinction of being the very first cryptocurrency listed on the Binance exchange. It was launched in July 2017 as part of Binance’s Initial Coin Offering (ICO). Originally issued as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain, BNB later transitioned to become the native token of the BNB Chain (formerly Binance Smart Chain). Purpose and Launch: BNB was initially created to raise capital for the development of the Binance exchange. In its early days, the primary function of BNB was to offer users discounts on trading fees within the Binance ecosystem. During its ICO, 50% of the total supply of BNB was made available to the public. Evolution and Utility: Over time, BNB evolved beyond its original purpose and became the core asset of the BNB Chain network. Today, it powers a wide range of activities, including paying transaction fees, participating in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, and supporting various blockchain-based projects within the growing Binance ecosystem. #Binance #bnb #bnbCoin
Binance Coin (BNB): Definition, History, ICO, and Uses
Binance Coin (BNB) holds the distinction of being the very first cryptocurrency listed on the Binance exchange. It was launched in July 2017 as part of Binance’s Initial Coin Offering (ICO). Originally issued as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain, BNB later transitioned to become the native token of the BNB Chain (formerly Binance Smart Chain).
Purpose and Launch: BNB was initially created to raise capital for the development of the Binance exchange. In its early days, the primary function of BNB was to offer users discounts on trading fees within the Binance ecosystem. During its ICO, 50% of the total supply of BNB was made available to the public.
Evolution and Utility: Over time, BNB evolved beyond its original purpose and became the core asset of the BNB Chain network. Today, it powers a wide range of activities, including paying transaction fees, participating in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, and supporting various blockchain-based projects within the growing Binance ecosystem.
In July 2017, Zhao launched Binance, an exchange designed to make crypto trading faster, safer, and more accessible. The company raised $15 million through an initial coin offering (ICO) and began trading just eleven days later.
The response was phenomenal. Within just eight months, Binance became the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world by trading volume — a record-breaking rise that made headlines globally.
Zhao also introduced Binance Coin (BNB) in 2017, a utility token that offered users trading fee discounts and other benefits. In April 2019, Binance expanded further by launching Binance Smart Chain (BSC) — a blockchain network supporting smart contracts and emerging as a strong competitor to Ethereum.
Recognition and Global Expansion
Zhao’s meteoric rise didn’t go unnoticed. In February 2018, Forbes ranked him third on its list of “The Richest People in Cryptocurrency,” estimating his net worth between $1.1 and $2 billion.
Investments and Strategic Influence
CZ’s influence extends far beyond Binance. In 2022, he invested $500 million through Binance to help Elon Musk finance the acquisition of Twitter (now X) — signaling his growing presence in both tech and media landscapes.
In 2025, Zhao reached another milestone when he was appointed as a Strategic Advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), marking his expanding leadership role in shaping crypto policy and innovation across developing nations.
Legacy of a Crypto Pioneer
Changpeng Zhao’s journey from a fast-food worker in Canada to a global fintech pioneer is a masterclass in vision, courage, and innovation. He transformed not just his own destiny but also the financial possibilities for millions of people worldwide.
As the crypto industry continues to evolve, Zhao remains at its forefront — a symbol of what happens when determination meets disruption.
“If you want to change the world, build something that helps people trade their ideas freely.” — Changpeng Zhao (CZ)
Changpeng Zhao: The Visionary Who Revolutionized Global Crypto Trading
Few entrepreneurs have reshaped the world of finance as dramatically as Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ. From working odd jobs as a teenager in Canada to founding Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Zhao’s journey is a story of bold risk-taking, relentless innovation, and an unshakable belief in technology’s potential to empower people everywhere.
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The Early Spark: From Shanghai to the Global Stage
In 2005, Zhao moved to Shanghai to begin his entrepreneurial journey. With a deep understanding of finance and computer science, he founded his first startup — Fusion Systems. The company soon earned a reputation for developing some of the fastest automated high-frequency trading platforms used by global stockbrokers. This experience gave Zhao a front-row seat to the world of traditional finance and the critical role technology played within it.
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The Bitcoin Revelation
Zhao’s introduction to the world of cryptocurrency came in 2013 during a casual poker game with Bobby Lee, who would later found the BTCC exchange and is the brother of Charlie Lee, creator of Litecoin. During their conversation, Bobby advised Zhao to invest about 10% of his savings in Bitcoin.
But Zhao’s entrepreneurial instincts told him to go further. He didn’t just dip his toes in — he went all in. Zhao sold his apartment in Shanghai and invested his entire net worth into Bitcoin, a move that stunned his family but reflected his visionary mindset.
That bold decision would change the course of his life — and the crypto world — forever.
Zhao’s natural affinity for computers guided his academic path. He enrolled at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, where he majored in Computer Science — a decision that would later form the foundation of his future empire. McGill, known for producing some of the sharpest minds in the tech and finance world, gave CZ both the technical skills and the global exposure he needed to thrive. Career in Finance and Technology After completing his degree, Zhao’s talent caught the attention of the global finance industry. He was offered an internship in Tokyo, working for a subcontractor of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. There, he helped develop software for matching trade orders, a critical part of the exchange’s operations.
His work impressed his peers and opened new doors. Soon, Zhao joined Bloomberg Tradebook, where he spent four years developing futures trading software. At Bloomberg, he quickly rose through the ranks, earning respect for his technical expertise and problem-solving ability.
A Visionary in the Making
While Zhao’s early career was rooted in traditional finance, his exposure to global trading systems planted the seeds of something revolutionary. He began to envision a world where financial systems would be decentralized, borderless, and open to everyone, not controlled by institutions or intermediaries.
This vision would later drive him to create Binance, a platform that democratized access to cryptocurrency trading and became a symbol of innovation in the blockchain world.
From Immigrant Dreams to Global Influence
CZ often credits his early struggles for shaping his mindset: humility from his family’s hardships, work ethic from his teenage jobs, and vision from his global experiences. Together, these qualities made him not only a tech pioneer but also one of the most influential figures in the modern digital economy.
In a world where technology evolves every second, Changpeng Zhao’s story reminds us that greatness isn’t about where you start — it’s about how far you’re willing to go.
Changpeng Zhao: From McDonald’s to Making Binance a Global Powerhouse
In the world of cryptocurrency, few names shine as brightly as Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ. The billionaire founder of Binance — the world’s largest crypto exchange — didn’t start his journey with wealth or privilege. His story is one of resilience, vision, and an unshakable belief in technology’s power to transform the world.
Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Changpeng Zhao was born in Lianyungang, a coastal city in China’s Jiangsu province. His parents were both teachers, and his father, Zhao Shengkai, worked as a university instructor. However, life took a difficult turn when his father was branded a “pro-bourgeois intellect” — a label that forced him into exile in rural China shortly after Zhao’s birth.
Despite these hardships, the family valued education and perseverance. In the late 1980s, when Zhao was just 12 years old, the family immigrated to Canada, eventually settling in Vancouver, British Columbia. Life in Canada was far from easy. To help his family make ends meet, the young Zhao took on several part-time jobs — from flipping burgers at McDonald’s to working long shifts at a gas station.
Changpeng Zhao: From McDonald’s to Making Binance a Global Powerhouse
In the world of cryptocurrency, few names shine as brightly as Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ. The billionaire founder of Binance — the world’s largest crypto exchange — didn’t start his journey with wealth or privilege. His story is one of resilience, vision, and an unshakable belief in technology’s power to transform the world.
Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Changpeng Zhao was born in Lianyungang, a coastal city in China’s Jiangsu province. His parents were both teachers, and his father, Zhao Shengkai, worked as a university instructor. However, life took a difficult turn when his father was branded a “pro-bourgeois intellect” — a label that forced him into exile in rural China shortly after Zhao’s birth.
Despite these hardships, the family valued education and perseverance. In the late 1980s, when Zhao was just 12 years old, the family immigrated to Canada, eventually settling in Vancouver, British Columbia. Life in Canada was far from easy. To help his family make ends meet, the young Zhao took on several part-time jobs — from flipping burgers at McDonald’s to working long shifts at a gas station.