If you think crypto success is only for coders in hoodies or traders in suits, think again.

Meet Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ—the immigrant kid who once flipped burgers to support his family and went on to build Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.


Humble Beginnings: A Dishwasher in Canada

Born in Jiangsu, China, in 1977, CZ’s early life took a sharp turn when his father, a university professor, was branded a "pro-bourgeois intellectual" and exiled. The family moved to Vancouver, Canada, in the late 1980s.

There, teenage CZ washed dishes at McDonald's and worked overnight shifts at gas stations to support his family. No trust funds. No shortcuts. Just grit.

The Tech Spark: Trading Terminals and Tokyo

CZ studied computer science at McGill University. After graduation, he worked at the Tokyo Stock Exchange building trading software and later at Bloomberg Tradebook.

By 2005, he was a seasoned tech professional. But in 2013, everything changed.

A friend introduced him to $BTC .

All-In Moment

CZ didn’t just dabble in crypto. He went all in—selling his apartment to buy Bitcoin in 2014, when it was still volatile and uncertain.

He joined Blockchain.info as Head of Development and later served as CTO of OKCoin. But he had bigger dreams: to create a seamless, powerful crypto trading platform for the world.


Birth of Binance

In July 2017, CZ launched Binance after raising $15 million through an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) of its native token, $BNB .

Binance was not the first exchange. But it was the fastest, most user-friendly, and aggressive in expansion.

Within 180 days, Binance became the #1 crypto exchange in the world.



Beyond the Charts

CZ isn’t your typical CEO.

  • He wears a black hoodie.

  • He tweets in plain English.

  • He prefers logic over hype


    Under his leadership, Binance has:

Launched Binance Academy, a free education hub.

  • Created Binance Charity for global causes.

  • Pioneered low-fee trading and innovative DeFi tools.


In 2021, his net worth crossed $90 billion, briefly making him one of the richest people in the world.

The Setbacks and the Spirit

In 2023, CZ stepped down as CEO after reaching a multi-billion-dollar settlement with U.S. regulators, but his legacy remains untarnished.


Why?

Because he changed how the world thinks about finance.

He didn’t just build a platform. He built trust, access, and a global crypto movement.


The Takeaway: Bet on Yourself

CZ’s story isn’t just about wealth—it's about conviction.

He didn’t wait for permission. He didn’t chase fame. He took calculated risks, backed by hard-earned skills and relentless effort.

Whether you're coding, investing, or learning—remember: Your starting point doesn’t define your ceiling.


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