Binance Founder Disputes Wealth Figures
Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, has publicly dismissed the recent Hurun Rich List ranking that placed his fortune at approximately $26 billion. The 2025 list showed Zhao climbing three spots to 13th place among China’s wealthiest individuals, with his reported wealth surging 41% from the previous year. But CZ wasn’t having any of it.
He took to X (formerly Twitter) with a characteristically blunt response to the ranking. “Nonsense, divide by 100 and that’s about right,” he wrote, adding a laughing emoji. His comment quickly went viral within crypto circles, sparking both amusement and agreement from his followers.
Community Backs CZ’s Skepticism
The crypto community largely sided with Zhao’s assessment. One user commented that Hurun “always inflates figures for attention,” to which CZ simply replied “truth” with an upward-pointing emoji. Another follower joked that “Hurun is talking nonsense” in Chinese, drawing another laughing response from the Binance founder.
This isn’t the first time Zhao has expressed discomfort with wealth rankings. He’s frequently called such lists “speculative and misleading” in the past. The timing of this particular ranking comes just days after renewed public attention on CZ following his presidential pardon from Donald Trump.
Legal Context and Public Perception
The pardon came after Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to implement an effective anti-money laundering program while leading Binance. The move drew criticism from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who accused Zhao of corruption and political influence on X. However, commentators and CZ himself pushed back against these claims, with one user clarifying that Zhao “was not charged with money laundering” but only admitted to a compliance failure.
CZ reposted several supportive comments during this period, suggesting he’s handling the renewed scrutiny with his typical composure. The crypto market recovery has undoubtedly boosted Binance’s position and, by extension, Zhao’s perceived wealth, but his reaction shows he remains skeptical of how these numbers are calculated.
Maintaining a Grounded Approach
What’s interesting is how Zhao consistently presents himself despite his prominent position in the crypto world. He often comes across as humble and unfazed by headlines, focusing instead on Binance’s broader mission to expand cryptocurrency adoption. As one user noted under his post about the Hurun ranking, “Even when they rank you among billionaires, you still act like a regular guy.”
CZ’s simple reply—”That’s the goal”—perfectly captures his approach. He seems determined to stay grounded and unbothered by the numbers, whether they’re accurate or, in his view, wildly exaggerated. This consistent demeanor has become part of his public persona, and it’s one that resonates with many in the crypto community who value substance over flashy displays of wealth.
Perhaps there’s something to be said about maintaining perspective in an industry known for its volatility and occasional excess. Zhao’s reaction, while humorous, reflects a deeper commitment to focusing on what he sees as meaningful work rather than getting caught up in wealth comparisons or public rankings.
