Crypto Billionaire CZ Transforms Binance Labs into Family Office YZi Labs, Focuses on Web3, AI, and Biotech

·

The world of cryptocurrency continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and at the center of this transformation stands Changpeng Zhao—widely known as CZ—the founder of Binance, once the largest crypto exchange globally. Months after his release from incarceration, CZ has quietly reshaped his investment arm, Binance Labs, rebranding it as YZi Labs and transitioning it into a private family office. This strategic shift marks a new chapter not only for CZ but for the broader landscape of tech-driven wealth management and innovation funding.

YZi Labs will now operate independently from the Binance ecosystem, focusing on long-term value creation beyond the volatile crypto markets. Leading the charge is Ella Zhang, one of the original co-founders of Binance Labs, who is returning to helm the newly restructured entity. According to Zhang, YZi Labs is now "purely a family office investment vehicle," reflecting a more personalized, strategic approach to asset management and venture building.

With an estimated $10 billion in crypto assets under management, YZi Labs holds stakes in some of the most influential projects in blockchain history. Despite its origins within Binance, the fund was already spun off into independent operations last year—well before the rebranding. Notably, CZ has no immediate plans to inject additional capital into YZi Labs, suggesting confidence in its existing portfolio and self-sustaining growth potential.

👉 Discover how top crypto investors are shaping the future of decentralized finance.

Expanding Horizons: Web3, Artificial Intelligence, and Biotechnology

While YZi Labs maintains deep roots in blockchain and digital assets, CZ’s vision extends far beyond cryptocurrency. In a recent statement, he emphasized that the rebranding isn’t just cosmetic—it represents a fundamental expansion of focus areas.

“YZi Labs reflects a broader ambition: to support transformative technologies that redefine industries,” CZ stated.

The new strategic pillars include:

Moreover, YZi Labs aims to explore the intersection between these fields, such as AI-driven drug discovery, blockchain-secured health data systems, or decentralized AI training networks powered by Web3 protocols. This cross-disciplinary approach positions YZi Labs at the forefront of next-generation technological convergence.

Previously known as Binance Labs, the fund has backed over hundreds of blockchain startups, including high-profile successes like:

These investments have collectively contributed to a portfolio with a paper valuation exceeding $10 billion, primarily composed of tokenized assets from early-stage projects.

A Legacy of Incubation and Innovation

Ella Zhang played a pivotal role in shaping Binance Labs during its formative years. Co-founding the incubator with CZ in 2018, she led the first three cohorts of its accelerator program, nurturing more than 40 startups across the blockchain spectrum. Among her notable successes were:

After stepping down in 2020 to pursue her own entrepreneurial ventures, Zhang left behind a strong foundation that helped define Binance’s influence in early-stage innovation. Her return signals continuity and renewed ambition for YZi Labs.

It's worth noting that leadership of Binance Labs later passed to He Yi, another key figure in Binance’s founding team and widely recognized as CZ’s close confidante. During CZ’s legal proceedings, He Yi penned a heartfelt letter referring to herself as the “cofounder of Binance & mother of CZ’s three children,” highlighting their personal connection. CZ’s wife, Yang Wei Qing, remains less publicly visible but is understood to be raising two children with him.

This complex personal backdrop underscores the intertwined nature of business, family, and legacy in high-stakes tech entrepreneurship.

👉 See how emerging technologies are converging to create trillion-dollar opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is YZi Labs?
A: YZi Labs is the rebranded version of Binance Labs, now functioning as a private family office managing CZ’s personal investment portfolio. It focuses on long-term growth in Web3, AI, and biotechnology sectors.

Q: Is YZi Labs still connected to Binance?
A: No. Although it originated within Binance, YZi Labs was spun off into independent operations in 2023 and no longer has organizational ties to the exchange.

Q: Who leads YZi Labs today?
A: Ella Zhang, co-founder of the original Binance Labs, has returned to lead YZi Labs as its head following its transformation into a family office.

Q: How much is CZ worth?
A: According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Changpeng Zhao has an estimated net worth of $69.8 billion, ranking him among the top 25 richest people globally.

Q: What kinds of companies does YZi Labs invest in?
A: The firm targets innovative startups in Web3 infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology—with special interest in projects where these fields intersect.

Q: Did CZ lose control of Binance?
A: While CZ stepped down as CEO of Binance as part of a regulatory settlement, he retains significant influence through ownership stakes and strategic relationships.

👉 Learn how blockchain is revolutionizing investment strategies worldwide.

Looking Ahead: A New Era of Tech-Focused Wealth Management

The evolution from Binance Labs to YZi Labs symbolizes a maturation in how crypto wealth is being managed. Rather than chasing short-term gains or exchange-driven profits, figures like CZ are shifting toward sustainable, impact-driven investment models.

By focusing on foundational technologies—especially those capable of reshaping entire industries—YZi Labs exemplifies how next-generation family offices can act as catalysts for innovation. With Ella Zhang at the helm and a diversified mandate spanning AI, biotech, and decentralized systems, the stage is set for long-term disruption across multiple sectors.

As regulatory landscapes stabilize and institutional adoption grows, private investment vehicles like YZi Labs may play an increasingly critical role in funding breakthrough ideas that traditional venture capital might overlook.

In summary, CZ’s journey—from building a crypto empire to refining his legacy through strategic philanthropy and innovation funding—reflects a broader trend: the rise of technologically fluent family offices shaping the future of global progress.

Core Keywords: