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Forbes Says Binance Founder CZ Is Richer Than Bill Gates

Forbes Says Binance Founder CZ Is Richer Than Bill Gates

CZ disputed Forbes’ $110 billion estimate, saying Binance’s valuation should fall with weaker crypto prices and trading activity, while reiterating that he did not short the market and still works with governments on crypto advocacy.

Fact Check
The claim is directly supported by the Forbes 2026 World's Billionaires List published on March 10, 2026. According to the list, Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has a net worth of $110 billion, ranking 17th globally, which exceeds Bill Gates' net worth of $108 billion. This information is corroborated by multiple Forbes platforms, including Forbes Africa and the official Forbes X account.
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Summary

Forbes estimated Binance founder Changpeng Zhao’s net worth at about $110 billion, up $47 billion from a year earlier, and ranked him No. 17 globally ahead of Bill Gates. CZ disputed the figure, saying Binance’s valuation cannot rise when cryptocurrency prices and trading volume are falling because the exchange moves with the broader crypto market. He also denied ever shorting the market or attempting to suppress prices. In the latest update, CZ added that he still works with governments to advocate for crypto, further clarifying his public response to Forbes’ valuation.

Terms & Concepts
  • Binance: A global cryptocurrency exchange where users trade digital assets and access related crypto services.
  • Bitcoin: The largest cryptocurrency by market value, often used as a benchmark for the broader digital asset market.