One of the most inspiring crypto success stories is that of **CZ (Changpeng Zhao)**, the founder of Binance. Born in China and later immigrating to Canada, CZ had humble beginnings—his family struggled financially, and he even worked at McDonald’s in his youth. However, his strong interest in technology and finance led him to study computer science and eventually work on trading systems for major financial firms.
CZ first discovered Bitcoin in **2013**, when a friend introduced him to it during a poker game. Seeing its potential, he made a bold move—**selling his apartment and investing everything into Bitcoin**. At the time, crypto was still highly speculative, but CZ believed in its future and joined Blockchain.info as a developer, working alongside early crypto pioneers like Roger Ver.
In **2017**, CZ launched **Binance**, a crypto exchange that quickly became the largest in the world. Despite initial hurdles, including regulatory challenges and bans in some countries, Binance thrived due to its low trading fees, strong user base, and innovative approach. Within a year, CZ became a billionaire, and Binance’s influence in the crypto space skyrocketed.
By 2021, CZ was one of the **richest people in crypto**, with a net worth estimated at over **$90 billion** at its peak. He continued expanding Binance, launching new products like Binance Smart Chain, which enabled developers to build decentralized applications. His leadership helped Binance weather multiple market crashes, reinforcing its position as an industry giant.
Although he later faced regulatory scrutiny and legal battles, CZ’s story remains one of the most remarkable in crypto history. From an immigrant with humble beginnings to one of the most powerful figures in the crypto world, his journey proves that calculated risks, vision, and persistence can lead to extraordinary success.
