Changpeng Zhao, otherwise known as CZ, is something like an enigma. Not much is known of his personal life, and what we do have, we had to scour the depths of the internet to find.
Like a chart that plots the highs and lows of a token's price trajectory, this exploratory series aims to chronicle the timeline of the man. We dive deep into what made Zhao who he is today, and perhaps glean a better understanding of the crypto mogul himself.
September 10, 1977 - Zhao was born in Lianyungang, Jiangsu
August 6, 1989 - Zhao's family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada
1999 - Zhao interned and later worked at the Tokyo Stock Exchange after studying at McGill University. During this time, he met and married a woman of Chinese descent who was studying and working in Japan.
The couple has a son and a daughter, who currently live with their mother in Tokyo.
2001 - Zhao left Tokyo for New York and joined Bloomberg
2005 - He moved to Shanghai, China, and founded Fusion Systems
February 2013 - Star Xu founded Okcoin, with angel investor Gang Mai, A-round financing from Ceyuan Ventures and Geek Founders. A year later, Gang Mai introduced Yi He to Star Xu during a KTV gathering.
March 2014: Xu Mingxing invited Yi He to be CMO of OKcoin, and in the same month, Zhao met Star Xu and Yi He at a Bitcoin forum in Hangzhou.
June 2014: Yi He and Star invited Zhao to be the CTO of OKcoin
June 2015: Zhao left OKcoin
July 2015: Yi He resigned and acquired 1/4 of her 1% options. Due to a 2-year non-compete agreement, she joined One More Tech as CMO.
During this period, OKcoin founder Star referred to Zhao and Yi He as a "couple."
July 2015: Zhao founded BijieTech, which provides cloud-based digital currency exchange networks for operators in Shanghai.
July 2017: Zhao founded Binance, and after her non-compete period ended, Yi He joined as a co-founder and CMO.
September 4, 2017: Due to the Chinese government's ban on Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), Zhao and Yi He left China for Tokyo.
January 2018: In less than six months, Binance became one of the world's largest exchanges.
Story continues here - Understanding CZ: During His Peak of Life
See the finale here - Understanding CZ: Fall of An Empire
Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) in Bhutan has added Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Binance Coin to its strategic reserves to strengthen its economy and embrace digital assets. The move follows the introduction of new laws to regulate digital asset services and is part of Bhutan's broader strategy to expand its role in the cryptocurrency market.
AnaisBinance has not yet decided on its new global headquarters due to complexities like tax laws and talent acquisition challenges. Legal troubles, including Changpeng Zhao's legal issues and a $4.3 billion fine, have led Binance to restructure its leadership and adopt better governance strategies.
WeatherlyBitcoin has reached a new all-time high, surpassing $100,000, while CZ remains unaffected by the surge, holding onto the same amount of Bitcoin. Binance Coin (BNB) also hit a record high, but CZ’s focus remains on Bitcoin’s long-term value rather than its fluctuating price.
WeatherlyIndian authorities uncovered $97 million in unpaid GST from crypto exchanges, with Binance owing $85 million. The government is cracking down on tax evasion, while Binance faces mounting global challenges, including regulatory issues in multiple countries.
WeatherlyCZ’s recent Toy Story meme has sparked speculation about Binance’s future, with many linking it to potential BNB institutional adoption or a BNB-based ETF. Meanwhile, BNB’s price surged to a new all-time high of $776.80, reflecting its growing market influence as altcoins, including BNB, gain momentum.
WeatherlyThe FTX bankruptcy estate claims SBF’s $1.76 billion repurchase deal with Binance in July 2021 was a fraudulent transfer due to FTX’s insolvency. The lawsuit seeks to recover billions for FTX creditors, alleging the transaction was fraudulent.
KikyoFormer Binance CEO, CZ (real name Changpeng), told Bloomberg that he had received multiple offers from buyers who are willing to offer him a high price to buy his shares in Binance.
XingChiBinance and its former CEO, Changpeng Zhao, are pushing to dismiss the SEC’s amended complaint, arguing that the regulator’s approach to crypto lacks clarity and consistency. Binance claims the SEC's broad interpretation of crypto assets as securities is confusing and unfairly applied.
WeatherlyChangpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, made his first public appearance since his prison release at the Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai, discussing his reflections on his incarceration and future plans. He expressed a renewed appreciation for personal connections, a commitment to education, and intentions to invest in emerging sectors while remaining optimistic about the future of cryptocurrency.
JoyFormer Binance CEO CZ's first tweet after his prison release sparked attention, briefly mentioning future plans and enjoying freedom. BNB surged to a monthly high but quickly reversed, declining along with the broader crypto market.
KikyoBinance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has been released after serving a reduced four-month sentence for AML violations. He retains his wealth and majority stake in Binance despite paying significant fines.
DanteBinance faces insider trading and market manipulation accusations amid leadership transition. NEIRO token's 700% price surge and insider allocations fuel controversy.
ZeZhengBinance CEO Richard Teng urges Nigeria to release detained executive Tigran Gambaryan, whose health is deteriorating without proper medical care.
DanteLitigation and rebuttal often lag in correcting mistakes, and the best way to change negative impressions is to grow positive value. In the field of crypto assets, this is true for Bitcoin, and so must Binance.
JinseFinanceCommEx, Binance's successor in Russia, halts operations and stops accepting deposits. Users advised to withdraw assets as platform winds down. Closure follows Binance's sale of Russian business in 2023 amid global scrutiny and regulatory challenges. Former Binance CEO faces legal issues.
EdmundBinance's CZ, facing money laundering charges, confronts an unplanned stay in the U.S. until sentencing.
Hui XinThe founder of Binance, Zhao Changpeng (CZ), recently resigned and pleaded guilty to violating the Banking Secrecy Act. Despite posting a $175 million bail, CZ remains in the United States.
JoyFatMan Terra — citing a January report — said a trader made $1.4 million from 16 possible insider trading situations on Binance.
CryptoSlateChangpeng Zhao (CZ), CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Binance mentioned that customers who have crypto on WazirX should transfer it to ...
BitcoinistThe cryptocurrency exchange Binance is now launching flagship platform for VIP and Institutional users. This flagship platform is called "Binance ...
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