Who founded Binance, the cryptocurrency exchange launched in 2017?

Changpeng Zhao founded Binance, the cryptocurrency exchange launched in 2017.

Zhao, commonly known by the initials CZ, established Binance after working in software development and financial technology, including cryptocurrency trading infrastructure. The exchange began operations in July 2017 after raising funds through an initial coin offering for Binance Coin, now known as BNB.

Binance expanded rapidly by offering a wide range of cryptocurrency trading pairs and services. Its growth made it one of the most prominent global digital-asset exchanges, although its operations and regulatory status have varied across jurisdictions.

Changpeng Zhao is sometimes confused with Brian Armstrong, who co-founded Coinbase, or Sam Bankman-Fried, who founded FTX. Those are different exchanges and different founders. Zhao served as Binance’s chief executive for much of its early history and resigned from that role in November 2023 after pleading guilty in the United States to violating anti-money-laundering requirements.