Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as CZ, is the founder and CEO of Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges. Born in Jiangsu, China, in 1977, Zhao moved to Vancouver, Canada, when he was just 12 years old.
After completing his studies at McGill University in Montreal, Zhao began working in the tech industry, including a stint at Bloomberg Tradebook, where he developed software for futures trading.
McGill University in Montreal,Canada
In 2005, Zhao moved to Shanghai and co-founded Fusion Systems, a high-frequency trading software company. He later became the head of development at Blockchain.info, a popular Bitcoin wallet provider.
In 2017, Zhao founded Binance, which quickly became one of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. In just a few months, Binance grew to become the largest exchange by trading volume and has since expanded to offer a range of products and services, including a decentralized exchange, a digital wallet, and a blockchain incubator.
Despite the success of Binance, Zhao has faced some challenges along the way. In 2019, the exchange suffered a massive hack that resulted in the loss of over $40 million worth of Bitcoin. However, Zhao's quick response and transparency about the incident helped to restore confidence in the platform.
Throughout his career, Zhao has remained committed to the principles of decentralization and user empowerment that underlie blockchain technology. He has also been vocal about the need for greater regulatory clarity and cooperation between the cryptocurrency industry and traditional finance.
Today, Binance has over 10 million registered users and is one of the most influential players in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Changpeng Zhao's story is a testament to the transformative power of blockchain technology and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation in this rapidly evolving industry.
The Brains from China CEO of Binance "Changpeng Zhao"
