list<\/a> of billionaires as of August 2025 with a net worth of $84.8 billion, the firm manages his funds and uses them to invest in early-stage projects that are aligned with Zhao\u2019s vision to support emerging projects in the Web3 and biotech space. <\/p>\nIf the fund does decide to open itself up to U.S. investors, it could attract more scrutiny from regulators; considering Zhao has not received a formal pardon from President Trump after he was imprisoned for four months last year.<\/p>\n
In 2023, Zhao pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of failure to protect against money laundering. Meanwhile, Binance pleaded guilty to criminal charges linked to money laundering and breaching international financial sanctions, and agreed to pay a fine of more than $4.3b.<\/p>\n
Why did Changpeng Zhao establish YZi Labs?<\/h2>\n
After finishing his sentence in prison, Changpeng Zhao emerged with a new goal in mind: to invest and mentor early-stage projects in artificial intelligence, robotics and biotechnology.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can help them with funding, with advice, with coaching, mentoring if they want it with access to other resources, connections,\u201d said CZ in an interview he did when he was fresh out of the slammer. <\/p>\n
The way he would go about it was through transforming Binance Labs into a family office under the name YZi Labs. Under YZi Labs, CZ planned to refine the venture capital unit\u2019s incubation program, which would include residency initiatives for project founders. The firm would also continue to support its existing portfolio of 250 projects.<\/p>\n
According to Zhang, YZi Labs has received pitches from more than 50 projects wanting to gain funding from the investment arm. Digital asset investments comprise about 70% of the firm\u2019s investments. However, there is now renewed interest in AI and robotics.<\/p>\n
\u201cCZ\u2019s vision is that robotics will help human beings to do things and their transactions will be [done] through crypto wallets,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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