According to the latest Forbes real-time billionaires data and their March 2026 updates, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder and former CEO of Binance, has surpassed Bill Gates in net worth. CZ’s net worth is estimated at around $111 billion, with figures cited as $111.1B or $111.4B, ranking him #17 globally. Bill Gates’ net worth is estimated at $105.7 billion, with some reports near $108B earlier in the month, ranking him #19 globally. This marks a significant surge for CZ, with Forbes attributing his wealth primarily to his estimated 90% ownership stake in Binance valued around $100 billion, plus holdings in BNB tokens and other crypto-related assets.
Binance’s massive trading volume, revenue estimated $16-17B annually in recent years, and market dominance drove this jump—up roughly $47 billion from the prior year. Gates’ wealth has declined relative to peaks due to extensive philanthropic donations through the Gates Foundation and impacts from his 2021 divorce. CZ himself has publicly disputed the Forbes estimate, calling it inaccurate or illogical—pointing out that crypto markets dropped over 50% in early 2026, yet his reported net worth rose sharply. He described it as not aligning with “common sense and basic logic,” though Forbes stands by their valuation methodology.
Despite CZ’s 2024 legal troubles—including a money-laundering plea, a four-month prison term, a $4.3 billion fine, and stepping down as CEO—Binance rebounded, retaining about 38% market share and high valuations. CZ publicly disputed Forbes’ figures, arguing they “defy logic” since crypto prices dropped more than 50% in 2026, yet his net worth rose sharply. This shift highlights crypto’s growing influence on global wealth rankings, placing CZ among the top 20 people with 12-figure fortunes and ahead of figures like Michael Bloomberg in some snapshots. The 2026 list added five new centibillionaires, with crypto figures prominent.
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