As 2023 comes to an end, Bitcoin has rebounded strongly after experiencing a plunge in 2022, with an increase of more than 160%. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index shows that this wave of rebound has also caused a number of cryptocurrency entrepreneurs to skyrocket in value.

Changpeng Zhao is on the rich list again, is he still a winner after the Binance crisis?

In November this year, CZ and Binance reached a comprehensive settlement agreement with the United States for violating U.S. sanctions and anti-money laundering laws, admitting relevant charges and agreeing to pay fines, allowing Binance to continue operating.

CZ personally agreed in the agreement to pay a $50 million fine and resign as CEO, but he still retained his stake in Binance.

(Binance founder Changpeng Zhao agreed to resign, plead guilty, and Binance was fined $4.3 billion)

Citing its Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Bloomberg noted that CZ’s assets have grown by $23.6 billion this year, more than five times Binance’s $4.3 billion fine. He is currently worth more than $37 billion, mostly from his Binance stake, where a rebound in the crypto market has significantly increased trading volume despite a decline in Binance market share.

However, compared with the peak of nearly US$97 billion in early 2022 and the year's high of US$50.4 billion in July 2023, CZ assets still fall behind.

CZ did not comment on this, and his BTC and BNB holdings are not included in the valuation of the Billionaire Index. He ranks 37th in the rankings and ranks 15th in annual growth.

Not just CZ, crypto market rebound creates more millionaires

In addition to CZ, several cryptocurrency entrepreneurs have also seen significant increases in their assets:

  • DCG founder Barry Silbert: Assets increased by $1.5 billion annually to $2 billion.

  • Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong: Annual growth of $5.8 billion, assets of about $7.2 billion, he holds about 16% of Coinbase.

  • Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam: He holds about 5% of Coinbase's shares, and his assets have increased by about $1.8 billion annually to $2.5 billion.

  • The assets of the Winklevoss brothers: Tyler Winklevoss and Cameron Winklevoss each gained approximately $1.4 billion in value from the growth of their equity in the exchange Gemini.

In fact, DCG has been in the process of selling assets and closing businesses. Barry Silbert stepped down as Grayscale director on the 26th.

(DCG founder Barry Silbert steps down as director of Grayscale and Mark Shifke takes over)

Bloomberg also ended up mentioning FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), saying his net worth is currently stable at $0 after peaking at $25.9 billion in March last year.

This article Bloomberg: Zhao Changpeng’s assets increased by US$23.6 billion annually, five times more than the fine imposed by the U.S. Department of Justice. First appeared on Chain News ABMedia.