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

Michael Bloomberg is an American businessman and the founder of Bloomberg L.P., with an estimated net worth of $96.3 Billion.

In addition to being a world-renowned businessman, Bloomberg is also recognized for having served as mayor of New York City on multiple occasions and for his esteemed philanthropy.

This profile details our extensive research into Michael Bloomberg’s net worth history, business ventures, and other noteworthy financial information.

Quick Facts

• Owns approximately 88% of Bloomberg L.P.
• Net worth has increased by 656% since 2009
• Bloomberg L.P. is currently valued at an estimated $70 billion

Net Worth History

Michael Bloomberg’s net worth has increased exponentially over the past two decades, primarily thanks to his 88% stake in Bloomberg L.P. In 2008, when Merrill Lynch sold its 20% stake back to Bloomberg Inc. for $4.43 billion, the deal valued the company at roughly $22.5 billion. As a result, by 2009, Bloomberg was worth an estimated $16 billion.

Since Bloomberg L.P. is a privately owned company, it can be difficult to get information regarding its valuation history. Reports suggest that the company generated annual revenues between $12.5 billion and $13 billion as of 2025, representing significant growth since the 2008 buyback.

The company’s growth also correlates with the increases in Michael Bloomberg’s net worth between 2009 and 2025. In the early 2010s, his fortune surpassed $20 billion, and by 2013, he was worth approximately $31 billion. Just before the events of 2020 unfolded, Michael was worth an estimated $55.5 billion. After a slight $7.5 billion dip in 2020, his net worth began increasing rapidly once again, surpassing $80 billion in 2022 and $90 billion the following year. As of 2025, he’s officially crossed the $100 billion milestone, with an estimated net worth of $96.3 Billion.

This is calculated through valuing Bloomberg L.P. at approximately $70 billion, with Michael’s stake being worth roughly $61 billion. The rest of his wealth has been generated from additional investments, cash, and assets, including real estate.

Early Career

Before becoming one of the richest people in the world, Michael Bloomberg graduated from Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Business School. He started his career at Salomon Brothers, a Wall Street investment bank, in 1966, where he was promoted to the equities desk. After becoming a general partner in 1972, he headed the company’s equity trading and later its systems development. 

In 1981, the Phibro Corporation acquired Salomon Brothers. Although they terminated Bloomberg’s employment, they also paid him $10 million for his equity in the firm. 

Bloomberg L.P.

Using the money he received from the buyout of Salomon Brothers, Michael Bloomberg established a data services company called Innovative Market Systems. This company sold customized computer terminals designed to display real-time market data and other Wall Street analytics. 

In 1986, IMS was renamed Bloomberg L.P., which in turn led to the creation of Bloomberg Radio, Bloomberg News, and Bloomberg Tradebook. Although the company thrived throughout the 80s and 90s, it also had some rough patches regarding sexual harassment. 

During this period, the company was sued four times by female employees for sexual harassment, and the company’s culture was compared to a fraternity. However, this didn’t hinder Bloomberg’s success, and when he left his position as CEO, he had become one of the richest people in America, worth billions. 

Political Career

After leaving his position as CEO of Bloomberg L.P., Michael Bloomberg chose to pursue a political career, running for mayor of New York City. He assumed office in 2002 as the 108th mayor of New York City, one of the most expensive cities in the world, replacing Rudy Giuliani.

Bloomberg would be re-elected twice, in 2005 and 2009, although he struggled with low approval ratings at the beginning of his career. While he was mayor, he transformed the city’s $6 billion budget deficit into a $3 billion surplus, primarily by increasing property taxes. 

He also created numerous bicycle lanes, enacted indoor smoking bans, pedestrianized Times Square, and mandated that chain restaurants display calorie counts. Furthermore, his administration significantly expanded its stop-and-frisk program, resulting in a nearly sixfold increase in stops. 

Michael Bloomberg was frequently mentioned as a potential candidate for the 2008 and 2010 presidential elections. Although he declined to run during those years, he briefly considered an independent run during the 2016 elections. 

In 2018, he pledged $80 million to support Democratic congressional candidates, but by October of that year, he had committed over $100 million. All of his spending during this electoral period once again fueled rumors that he would run for president in 2020. While he first encouraged the Democratic Party to nominate someone to defeat Donald Trump, he soon decided to throw his own hat into the ring. 

Presidential Campaign

In November 2019, Michael Bloomberg officially launched his presidential campaign, self-funding everything from his personal fortune. Because he entered the race late, he missed the first four primaries and caucuses and suffered from two lackluster debates. Despite that, Bloomberg remained in the race, using his wealth to advertise on TV, radio, the internet, and by mail. 

Overall, he spent $676 million of his own fortune on his campaign, the most money ever spent on a presidential run. However, no matter how much he put forward, his support in national polls never rose above 15% and stagnated before Super Tuesday. Ultimately, Bloomberg chose to suspend his campaign and support Joe Biden after only winning American Samoa. 

In 2022, Bloomberg was nominated to chair the Defense Innovation Board, and the following year, served as a global advisor to the winners of the Earthshot Prize. 

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.