The fortune of Changpeng Zhao — widely known in the crypto industry as CZ — has reached $110 billion, according to the latest billionaire rankings published by Forbes.

The updated estimate places the founder of Binance among the 20 richest people in the world, with a net worth that now reportedly exceeds that of Bill Gates.

Forbes attributes the surge largely to the growing valuation of Binance, which the outlet estimates at around $100 billion, as well as Zhao’s significant holdings of the exchange’s native token, BNB. According to the report, Zhao’s wealth has increased by $47 billion over the past year.

At the top of the Forbes list remains Elon Musk, whose fortune is estimated at more than $800 billion, according to the publication’s ranking.

CZ Questions Forbes Valuation

Despite the impressive estimate, Zhao himself suggested that the numbers may not accurately reflect reality. Responding to the report on X, the entrepreneur criticized the methodology used to calculate his wealth.

“Didn’t read the Forbes article, but if you just look at the little chart , you know it’s wrong. Crypto prices dropped by more than 50% in 2026 already. And my net worth went up? Wish they can apply some common sense and basic logic.”

Zhao also pointed out that Forbes’ calculations appear inconsistent with broader market conditions. According to him, the outlet’s estimate assumes that Binance generates around $5 billion in annual revenue, while simultaneously valuing his personal fortune at $110 billion.

“I think if I tried to claim I have a high net worth, they will rank me much lower, or maybe even remove me from the list. They like to estimate the opposite.”

Binance Stake Remains Core of His Fortune

Most of Zhao’s wealth is tied to his role as the founder and majority owner of Binance, the exchange he launched in 2017, which has since grown into one of the largest cryptocurrency trading platforms globally.

Forbes estimates that Zhao controls approximately 90% of the company, meaning the bulk of his net worth is derived from his stake in the exchange along with his holdings of BNB tokens.

Even after a sharp correction in the crypto market during 2026, Zhao’s estimated fortune continues to rank him among the wealthiest figures in the global technology and finance sectors — and the richest Canadian billionaire, according to Forbes.