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: Estimated at around $111 billion with figures cited as $111.1B or $111.4B ranking him #17 globally.
Bill Gates’ net worth: Estimated at $105.7 billion some reports noted around $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.
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Notably, 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.
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.
This marks a historic milestone where cryptocurrency-derived wealth has propelled someone into the ultra-elite “centibillionaire” club (12-figure fortunes), overtaking a long-time tech icon like Gates, who dominated rankings for years through Microsoft and diversified investments.
The 2026 list added five new centibillionaires, with crypto figures prominent. This signals a shift in global wealth sources toward digital assets, blockchain, and decentralized finance, potentially diversifying the top ranks beyond tech and traditional finance.
Despite CZ’s 2024 legal troubles; guilty plea to money-laundering violations, four-month prison term, $4.3 billion fine, and stepping down as CEO, Binance has rebounded strongly—retaining ~38% market share and high valuations. His post-release surge up ~$47 billion in a year implies strong recovery, possibly aided by favorable U.S. regulatory shifts l.
This crypto platforms’ ability to thrive amid scrutiny and positions Binance as a enduring powerhouse. CZ publicly disputed Forbes’ figures, arguing they “defy logic” since crypto prices dropped >50% in 2026, yet his net worth rose sharply. He called for “common sense and basic logic,” noting assumptions about private holdings (like his Binance stake) can be speculative.
This highlights ongoing debates about estimating wealth in opaque, volatile sectors like crypto—Forbes relies on comparables insider talks, and discounts for regulatory risks, but private companies lack public filings. It raises questions about accuracy in rankings for non-public assets.
Gates’ drop to ~$105–108 billion stems from massive Gates Foundation donations and his 2021 divorce—reflecting a “giving pledge” ethos in traditional tech wealth. CZ’s rise, tied to a for-profit crypto empire with less emphasis on philanthropy in public view spotlights differing paths to extreme wealth: one legacy/tech/philanthropic, the other disruptive/digital/high-risk.
It fuels discussions on wealth inequality, crypto’s societal impact, and whether new billionaires will prioritize giving back. This event amplifies crypto’s legitimacy in mainstream finance—placing its richest figure ahead of Wall Street giants (Bloomberg, Yass, Griffin) and icons like Gates. It could encourage more institutional adoption but also invite scrutiny.
Looking ahead, if crypto rebounds or Binance grows further, more figures from Coinbase, Tether, or others already on the list could climb, reshaping the billionaire landscape. It’s a vivid illustration of how rapidly emerging technologies like blockchain are rewriting wealth hierarchies—challenging old-guard titans and proving crypto’s staying power, even amid volatility and controversy.