The most powerful woman in crypto grew up without electricity.
Yi He was born in a Sichuan village with no power, no running water. Father died when she was 9. At 16, she was selling drinks to survive. Later hosted a travel show on Chinese TV. Started learning English in her 30s.
2014: Working marketing at an exchange, she hired an unknown engineer named CZ.
2017: They founded Binance.
December 2025: Named co-CEO.
2026: Fortune's Most Powerful Women in Business list. First crypto-native exec ever.
When asked about her background, her response was brutal:
"Of course I come from a poor background. But I am successful. Why can't you do the same?"
No secret formula. No VC backing. No silver spoon.
Just someone who never asked her circumstances for permission.
This is what building in crypto really looks like. 🔥
Yi He was born in a Sichuan village with no power, no running water. Father died when she was 9. At 16, she was selling drinks to survive. Later hosted a travel show on Chinese TV. Started learning English in her 30s.
2014: Working marketing at an exchange, she hired an unknown engineer named CZ.
2017: They founded Binance.
December 2025: Named co-CEO.
2026: Fortune's Most Powerful Women in Business list. First crypto-native exec ever.
When asked about her background, her response was brutal:
"Of course I come from a poor background. But I am successful. Why can't you do the same?"
No secret formula. No VC backing. No silver spoon.
Just someone who never asked her circumstances for permission.
This is what building in crypto really looks like. 🔥
