What Happened to Changpeng Zhao’s Wealth During His Prison Stay?

Changpeng Zhao, the founder and former CEO of Binance, has likely continued to increase his wealth during his recent four-month stay at the Lompoc II detention center in California.

While in detention, Zhao’s estimated net worth saw a substantial decrease. Bloomberg reported that his wealth dropped from approximately $36.5 billion on June 2 to around $30.8 billion by September 27. This assessment was conservative, as it assigned a zero value to his Bitcoin and Binance Coin holdings and reduced the valuation of his equity in Binance.com by 50%, based on industry peers.

In contrast, Forbes disagreed with Bloomberg’s calculations, suggesting that Zhao may have actually earned billions while incarcerated. Their estimate placed his net worth at $61 billion on the same date, implying a daily income of about $25 million over the four months.

Forbes did not provide a detailed methodology but indicated that Zhao’s net worth was $33 billion on May 7 and $57.8 billion by July 12. This discrepancy suggests Forbes included Zhao’s cryptocurrency holdings and applied a less conservative approach to valuing his equity.

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If correct, it indicates that Zhao could have earned at least $3 billion during his prison term, significantly exceeding the lifetime earnings of many executives.

Alexander Stefanov

With over 8 years of experience in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, Alexander is a seasoned content creator and market analyst dedicated to making digital assets more accessible and understandable. He specializes in breaking down complex crypto trends, analyzing market movements, and producing insightful content aimed at educating both newcomers and seasoned investors. Alexander has built a reputation for delivering timely and accurate analysis, while keeping a close eye on regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and macroeconomic trends that shape the future of digital finance. His work is rooted in a passion for innovation and a firm belief that widespread education is key to accelerating global crypto adoption.