CZ disputes Forbes’ $109 billion net worth claim as Coin Bureau deletes post

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao publicly questioned Forbes’ estimate that his net worth reached $109 billion after crypto outlet Coin Bureau shared the figure on X, a post the outlet later deleted.

Before its removal, Coin Bureau had shared Forbes’ billionaire ranking, claiming CZ’s estimated net worth had reached approximately $109 billion, placing him ahead of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and making him one of the world’s wealthiest individuals.

The post also stated that CZ’s fortune had increased by roughly $47 billion over the past year, despite cryptocurrency prices having fallen by more than 50%.

Replying to the post, CZ once again questioned the logic behind that conclusion rather than his ranking.

“How is that last sentence possible? ‘His net worth jumped $47 BILLION in a single year even as crypto prices fell over 50%.'”

Although Coin Bureau later deleted its original post, CZ’s response remained online and continued attracting widespread engagement.

Critics revive old controversies

CZ’s reply quickly became a magnet for criticism, with many users shifting the conversation away from Forbes’ methodology and toward Binance’s past controversies.

Several commenters alleged that Binance benefits from large liquidation events during periods of market volatility, while others accused the exchange of manipulating markets or profiting at traders’ expense. These allegations reflect opinions expressed by users on X and have not been established in court.

Others referenced CZ’s legal history, including his guilty plea in the United States, while some pointed to his recent presidential pardon as evidence that controversy surrounding the Binance founder remains far from over.

One user argued that the pardon “says it all,” while another accused Binance of damaging the cryptocurrency market. Several comments also alleged that Binance’s profits stem from leveraged liquidations, though no evidence was presented to support those claims.

The discussion also gave rise to misinformation. One widely circulated reply claimed that CZ owns Forbes. That claim is false. Binance announced plans in 2022 to make a strategic investment in Forbes through a proposed SPAC transaction, but the deal never closed, and neither Binance nor CZ owns the publication.

Some users defended CZ

Not every response was critical.

Some users argued that Binance continues to generate significant revenue as the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, making Forbes’ valuation plausible even during a weaker crypto market.

Others suggested CZ’s comment was directed solely at Forbes’ methodology for calculating changes in his estimated wealth rather than disputing his position among the world’s richest individuals.

Legal history continues to shape public perception

The reaction underscores how CZ’s legal troubles continue to influence public perception long after stepping down as Binance’s chief executive.

In 2023, Binance reached a multibillion-dollar settlement with U.S. authorities after admitting failures in its anti-money laundering compliance program. As part of the agreement, CZ pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, resigned as CEO, and later served a four-month prison sentence.

He was subsequently granted a presidential pardon, a development that drew mixed reactions across the crypto industry. While supporters view the matter as resolved, critics continue to raise Binance’s regulatory history whenever CZ returns to the headlines.

Although the original Coin Bureau post has since been deleted, the conversation it sparked demonstrates how discussions surrounding CZ now extend well beyond cryptocurrency wealth rankings, frequently reopening debates over regulation, accountability, and Binance’s influence on the digital asset industry.