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 

Hans Rausing was a Swedish industrialist with an estimated net worth of $12.8 Billion.

In this profile, we’ll detail our research into Hans Rausing’s net worth history, Tetra Laval fortune, and the estate he left behind. 

Quick Facts

• Debuted on the Forbes Billionaires Index in 1987
• Sold his 50% stake of Tetra Laval to his brother for $7 billion in 1995
• Peak estimated net worth of $12.5 billion in 2018

Net Worth History

At the beginning of the 1990s, Hans Rausing was reportedly worth between $7 billion and $10 billion, due to his ownership stake in Tetra Laval. In 1995, he sold his entire 50% stake to his brother, Gad, for approximately $7 billion in cash. This led to Rausing’s net worth remaining somewhat stagnant throughout the 90s and 2000s, as he was no longer growing his wealth through Tetra. 

Instead, Hans invested his billions wisely, allowing his fortune to grow gradually over time. By 2010, he was worth approximately $10 billion, and by 2015, estimates placed his net worth at $12.5 billion. After he died in 2019, the bulk of Rausing’s fortune was inherited by his wife, Marit, and his three children, Lisbet, Sigrid, and Hans Kristian.

Tetra Pak

After graduating from Lund University in 1948, Hans Rausing became the managing director of Tetra Pak in 1954. The company had been primarily focused on manufacturing dairy packaging since its formation in the 1940s, getting its first major patent in 1944. This concept, which introduced tetrahedron-shaped packaging from a tube, became synonymous with the brand, leading to its steady growth.

Throughout the 1950s, Hans Rausing worked to introduce a new packaging system to the company, refining the Tetra Classic system with innovative improvements. As a result, the company expanded its operations significantly, establishing its first production plant outside Sweden in 1960 in Mexico.

Transformation Of Tetra Pak Into A Global Powerhouse

The expansion of production to different regions around the world continued under Rausing’s guidance throughout the 1960s.

By the 1980s, a series of mergers and acquisitions had led to Tetra Pak emerging as a global player in the packaging industry. Rausing understood the importance of leveraging assets for growth. This included many business deals through the Tetra Leval Group, which was created in 1993 and has its headquarters in Lund and Lausanne.

By 2021, Tetra Pak was operating in over 160 countries, providing packaging supplies to a range of emerging markets and generating significant annual turnover. The brand has reported near-consistent increases in sales over the decades, with annual turnover exceeding $10 billion.

Notable Products & Technology

Hans Rausing’s long and impressive career has been characterized by his association with a diverse range of products and technological advancements. The company pioneered aseptic processing for dual sterilization, introducing ultra-high temperatures to extend the shelf life of food products.

In addition to the Tetra Pak, they have revolutionized many space-saving approaches to packaging design, saving businesses millions of dollars. Their most popular product, the Tetra Brik Aseptic, has been a proven best-selling item for the company since the early 1970s.

More recently, Rausing’s influence has enabled the company to become the industry leader in sustainable and eco-friendly drinking containers. Their designs have received international acclaim and are widely regarded as iconic and revolutionary, with exhibitions dedicated to these accomplishments at science museums.

Philanthropy

Like many other highly wealthy individuals, such as Warren Buffett, Hans Rausing has made numerous charitable donations over the years. He has also invested funds in a range of philanthropic ventures, often in close association with his wife, Marit, in both Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Rausing’s daughter is also involved in these activities, notably using money from her Arcadia fund to finance the Hans Rausing Endangered Languages project. Rausing contributed funds to numerous scientific research projects throughout his career, as well as community projects through the Marit and Hans Rausing Fund.

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.