Introduction

Changpeng Zhao is a Chinese-Canadian entrepreneur and business executive with an estimated net worth of $110 Billion.

Zhao earned his billions as the founder, former CEO, and controlling shareholder of the cryptocurrency exchange Binance. He launched the company in July 2017, raising $15 million through an initial coin offering. Today, Binance generates an estimated $16 billion in annual revenues and is valued at approximately $100 billion.

In this profile, we’ll discuss Changpeng Zhao’s net worth history, Binance fortune, additional business ventures, and some of the legal issues he’s faced.

Quick Facts

• Debuted on the Forbes Billionaires Index in 2018
• Launched the Binance cryptocurrency exchange a year prior
• Holds an estimated 90% stake in the company
• Net worth crossed the $100 million milestone in 2026
• Sentenced to four months in federal prison for violating the Bank Secrecy Act

Net Worth History

As we briefly mentioned in the introduction, Changpeng Zhao’s net worth is primarily derived from his reported 90% stake in Binance. The most impressive aspect of his fortune is that Zhao became a billionaire less than a year after launching the company. He debuted on the Forbes Billionaires Index in 2018, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion. For the next few years, things actually remained relatively stable, though he briefly dropped off the Forbes list in 2020.

It’s important to note that, given the nature of Zhao’s business, his net worth is considered cyclical. What we mean is that cryptocurrency markets typically have cycles lasting three to four years. This is based on Bitcoin’s halving cycle, in which mining rewards are halved every time 210,000 BTC blocks are mined. Thus, setting off a chain reaction of events that ultimately results in a bull market. At least, this is what cryptocurrency’s short history has shown us.

During bull markets, Bitcoin has exploded to all-time highs, and there’s normally significant FOMO within the industry. In turn, this leads to increased activity on trading platforms like Binance and to parabolic increases in altcoin prices, such as Binance’s own BNB.

Why is this important?

Two reasons: Firstly, Changpeng Zhao has a substantial cryptocurrency portfolio, including 94 million BNB tokens and an estimated 1,400 BTC. Secondly, Binance’s valuation will naturally fluctuate between bull and bear markets.

How has this played out in terms of his net worth?

In the 2021/2022 bull market, BNB’s coin price rose to an all-time high of $650 per token. With an estimated 94 million BNB tokens in his portfolio, they would have been briefly worth up to $61.1 billion. By 2023, the price had crashed to $200 per token, reducing his stake to roughly $18.8 billion. 

Forbes’ estimates differ slightly. The publication reported Zhao’s net worth at $65 billion in 2022, up from $1.9 billion in 2021, then down to $10.5 billion in 2023.

In 2025, BNB’s token price hit a new all-time high of $1,170 per coin, and Binance reportedly had a valuation of $100 billion. Zhao’s fortune rebounded from $10.5 billion to $62.9 billion in just two years. In 2026, his net worth reached $110 billion, and he’s currently ranked as the 17th richest person in the world.

Cryptocurrency Holdings

In February 2025, Changpeng Zhao publicly listed his cryptocurrency holdings in a Twitter post, though only in percentage terms, stating, “I’m a boring guy.” His holdings were as follows:

• BNB (Binance coin) – 98.6%
• BTC (Bitcoin) – 1.3%
• EURI (Eurite) – 0.17%
• USDT (Tether) – 0.03%

While exact numbers weren’t listed, reports suggest that Zhao holds 94 million BNB and 1,400 BTC. It’s not clear whether this has always been the case, but assuming it has, we can roughly calculate how much his portfolio has been worth at key points in time.

• December 2020 (BNB IPO) – Totals: $3.13 billion
• May 2021 (bull market) – Totals: $61.2 billion
• June 2022 (market crash) – Totals: $18.4 billion
• June 2024 (bull market) – Totals: $64.1 billion
• October 2025 (BNB all-time high) – Totals: $110.2 billion
• July 2026 (recent prices) – Totals: $54.6 billion

Bank Secrecy Act Violations

In 2023, the United States Department of Justice filed a criminal case against Changpeng Zhao and Binance. The case alleged that Binance failed to prevent money laundering and allowed users in restricted locations to transact on the platform.

Toward the end of the year, Zhao pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act and was sentenced to four months in a U.S. federal prison. He also agreed to pay a $50 million fine personally, while Binance paid $4.3 billion in penalties. Following the plea, he stepped down as the CEO of Binance. Zhao was later pardoned by President Trump in 2024.

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Introduction

Robert Herjavec is a Croatian-born Canadian investor, businessman, and television personality with an estimated net worth of $300 Million

Before Wealth & Fame

Believe it or not, Robert Herjavec’s career began in the film industry as an assistant director. He worked behind the scenes on numerous productions, including The Return of Billy Jack and Cain and Abel. He also served as a field producer with Global TV for the 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

A couple of years later, Herjavec learned of an opening at a computer startup called Logquest, which sold IBM mainframe emulation boards. The job paid $30,000 per year, but he was underqualified for the position. Still, Herjavec managed to secure the job by offering to work for free for the first six months. To keep food on the table, he waited tables during the evenings until Logquest paid him a full-time salary. Robert quickly rose to become president of the company, but was fired in 1990.

BRAK Systems

Following his dismissal, Robert Herjavec launched his first major company, BRAK Systems, which was one of Canada’s first cybersecurity companies. The company helped Canadian businesses procure and integrate network security solutions, and was operated entirely out of Herjavec’s basement. Ten years later, in 2000, AT&T acquired BRAK Systems for $30.2 million.

The Herjavec Group

After AT&T acquired BRAK Systems, Robert Herjavec became the vice president of Ramp Network, though the company was sold to Nokia for $126 million just several months later.

In 2003, now with a substantial amount of money to his name, Robert Herjavec founded the Herjavec Group, which quickly became one of the fastest-growing technology companies in Canada. The business also operates in the cybersecurity industry and has since merged with Fishtech Group and rebranded to Cyderes. The company currently reports annual revenues of $108.4 million and employs 425 people.

Apax Partners acquired a majority stake in The Herjavec Group in 2021, but Robert is believed to still hold a stake in the company. He also continued to serve as the CEO of Cyderes until 2024.

Shark Tank

By the time Robert Herjavec joined Shark Tank in its debut season in 2009, he already had a net worth in the tens of millions of dollars. Before Shark Tank began airing, Herjavec had actually been involved in Canada’s Dragon’s Den since 2006. He joined fellow sharks Daymond John, Lori Greiner, Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, and Kevin O’Leary.

Thus far, Herjavec has starred in all seventeen seasons of Shark Tank, appearing in 323 episodes. According to our research, he’s invested approximately $7.58 million in 39 companies that have pitched in the tank. Several reports suggest that Herjavec has invested more than $16 million, but they also include failed post-show negotiations. Not every deal that’s accepted on the show actually gets finalized. Here’s a list of the companies that accepted Herjavec’s offer on the show, but ultimately fell through afterward:

• Gift Card Rescue
• Soy-Yer-Dough
• Mod Mom Furniture
• Hill Billy Brand
• Orig Audio
• You Smell Soap
• Focus Designs
• Henry’s Humdingers
• Oru Kayak
• Kronos
• Zero Pollution Motors
• SynDaver Labs

Shark Tank Investments

While that’s a lot of investments to cover, here’s a list of every company Herjavec has invested in on Shark Tank. The table above shows that Robert Herjavec has invested in 39 companies, totaling $7.58 million of his own money. Bear in mind that many of these investments were joint deals made with one or more sharks, but we’ve calculated Herjavec’s share of the investment. 

For two of the deals on the list, Herjavec didn’t receive any equity. Herjavec split a $1450,000 investment in Coffee Joulies with Kevin, Lori, and Daymond for the following:

• Retail royalty – $6 per unit
• Wholesale royalty – $3 per unit
• Perpetuity after recouping their investment – $1 per unit

When Herjavec invested $150,000 into Wall Rx in episode 14 of season five, he didn’t want any equity. Instead, he invested the money in exchange for the rights to sell the product internationally.

While many of these businesses have since closed their doors or filed for bankruptcy, others have continued to thrive. Which begs the question, which of Herjavec’s Shark Tank investments have been the most successful?

Tipsy Elves

Details: $100,000 investment for a 10% stake

After the founders of Tipsy Elves appeared on the fifth season of Shark Tank, they secured a $100,000 investment from Herjavec for 10% of the business. Tipsy Elves launched as an e-commerce business selling Christmas sweatshirts and has since expanded into Halloween costumes, Hawaiian shirts, and other themed clothing.

By 2025, twelve years after appearing on the show and securing investment, Tipsy Elves’ lifetime sales exceeded $317 million. According to Herjavec himself, this was by far his best investment from Shark Tank.

Divorce Settlement

In July 2014, after 24 years of marriage and three children together, Herjavec’s relationship with then-wife Diane Plese came to an end, with Plese filing for divorce in March 2015, claiming that Herjavec had been having extramarital affairs with another woman.

The settlement, ruled by an Ontario Supreme Court, was finalized in 2016 and required Herjavec to pay Plese $125,000 a month in spousal and child support with no set termination date, a $2.6 million equalization payment, and an extra $2.5 million once all their assets had been divided and sold, bringing her total settlement from the marriage to $25 million.

Some of their joint assets included a $17.4 million mansion in the Bridal Path area of Toronto, a $4.8 million holiday home on Fisher Island, Florida, as well as top-of-the-line luxury boats and automobiles, including a rare $1.5 million Ferrari, and several other high-end items.

After the settlement, it was reported that Herjavec struggled with suicidal thoughts and depression following their separation, especially over the estrangement from his children. However, he continued with his life, appearing on season 20 of Dancing with the Stars in 2015 and subsequently marrying his co-star, Kym Johnson, a year later in 2016.

Introduction

David Packouz is an American former arms dealer, musician, inventor, and entrepreneur with an estimated net worth of $2.9 Million. 

In this profile, we’ll discuss our research into David Packouz’s net worth, income sources, and the legal issues he faced from arms dealing.

Quick Facts

• Secured a $298 million arms contract with the U.S. government in 2007
• Previously faced 355 years in federal prison for defrauding the government
• Filed a $5 million lawsuit against his former business partner for unpaid fees
• Settled the dispute for a small fraction of that figure

AEY Inc.

In 2005, at just 23 years old, David Packouz reunited with his childhood friend, Efraim Diveroli, who was 25, to enter the world of arms dealing. Diveroli had already been running AEY, bidding on U.S. government surplus and supply contracts online. However, most of his contracts were small, but he still earned $1.8 million in a single year, enticing Packouz. 

When Packouz and Diveroli partnered with one another, the United States was in the middle of the Afghan war against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. During the war, the government spent $18.6 billion on weapons, vehicles, aircraft, and equipment to arm the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. To supply much of this equipment, the U.S. government would often offer contracts to third parties, which is where AEY Inc. comes in.

Packouz and Diveroli, barely in their mid-20s, landed a $298 million contract with the U.S. Army in January 2007, to supply the Afghan National Army and Police with millions of rounds of ammunition, specifically 7.62mm ammunition used in AK-47 rifles.

How did such a small company land such a high-value government contract? They lowballed the competition. The crucial stipulation of the contract was that they couldn’t source the ammunition from Communist Chinese military companies. In other words, the ammo couldn’t originate from China in any form.

AEY eventually sourced a substantial portion of the 7.62mm rounds from MEICO, an Albanian state-owned supplier. The rounds had been stored in an Albanian warehouse for decades, but were originally manufactured and packaged in China. AEY repackaged the Chinese ammo, but investigators later found out, largely because Diveroli left a note on his desk that said “Repackage Chinese ammo.”

2008 Arrest

In 2008, Packouz, Diveroli, AEY Inc., and two other individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and wire fraud.

Packouz was initially facing 355 years in federal prison due to the number of times ammo had been shipped. Each time AEY shipped a load of ammunition by air, they listed the place of origin as Albania, even though it was manufactured in China. Since they repeated the process 71 times, they were facing 71 counts of fraud, not just a single count.

A year later, Packouz pleaded guilty and was fortunate enough to receive just 7 months of home detention and 14 months of probation. Diveroli received a 4-year federal prison sentence.

Lawsuit

Bear in mind that while AEY, Inc. was shipping ammunition to the military forces in Afghanistan, David Packouz wasn’t being paid. Diveroli held out on paying him until the contract was fulfilled in its entirety. Packouz claimed that Diveroli owed him $5 million and filed a lawsuit against his former partner after Diveroli’s release from prison.

Unfortunately, evidence went missing, and money was hidden, so Packouz ultimately settled for “a small fraction of what he owed me.” When asked how much? Packouz replied with “I’d rather not say. It’s too painful.” Diveroli allegedly earned $15 million from the contract.

War Dogs

Given his eventful past, a film titled War Dogs was released in 2016, based on David Packouz’s life, starring Jonah Hill and Miles Teller. Since the story was based on his life, Warner Bros. acquired his life rights to make the film.

Recently, in 2025, David revealed in an interview with VladTV that he was paid a modest sum for the rights. He also joked that Teller, who played him in the film, earned substantially more than he did.

Real Estate

The film shows Packouz purchasing a penthouse in Miami, Florida, but in real life, this apparently wasn’t the case. He actually rented out a townhouse with his business partner, Efraim Diveroli, in Miami Beach. According to Zillow, this property is currently valued at $5.77 million. Packouz still resides in Miami, though it’s not clear exactly where.