That One Poker Game. Yeah, It Made Binance CEO 'CZ' as Rich as Zuckerberg

Meet Changpeng "CZ" Zhao - the mastermind whose life story reads like a blockbuster script: from flipping burgers to flipping the script on global finance with his cryptocurrency empire, Binance.

Humble Beginnings

Before CZ became a household name in the crypto industry, he faced the trials of an immigrant’s life in Canada.

"We were taught the value of hard work and resilience from a young age." In Vancouver, flipping burgers and manning gas stations, he learned the grit that would drive his future endeavors.

“I pitched in to cover the household expenses, flipping burgers at McDonald's and working overnight shifts at a gas station."

But, that wasn’t the end.

"I was always fascinated by codes and the power they wielded," said CZ. His knack for coding and his passion for optimization propelled him from one position to another. "Every bit of work adds up. You carry the lessons with you.”

A Game Of Poker That Changed His Life

It was a casual poker game with a VC that introduced CZ to the concept of Bitcoin.

He recalls, "That game changed everything for me, Bitcoin wasn’t just a currency, it was a revolution."

"You know the saying – build it, and they will come? That was Binance for me," he says of his venture that burst onto the scene in 2017, revitalizing not just his fortune but the entire crypto market. Binance emerged as a goliath.

The creation of Binance was a calculated risk during the ICO bubble of 2017.

Post-launch, Binance's user base snowballed, especially in the U.S. and Japan. With a grin, CZ recounts, "We were the fast-growing underdogs, fitting a soaring company into a cramped space. We were growing so fast... the taxes I paid last year were not going to be able to cover one month of rent. We kept desks right outside the toilet," said Zhao.

On the surge in applications for coin listings on Binance, "We received over 5000 applications for coin listings," boasts Zhao.

The Crusader in Casuals

CZ, much like Steve Jobs or Zuckerberg in their signature outfits, sticks to his Binance hoodies and a simple suit. "Wearing a brand isn't about the clothes. It's about embodying its ethos, every day," he explains.

CZ's newfound billionaire status is, to him, merely a side note to his bigger vision of propelling Binance forward. "When numbers get that big, they lose meaning. It's what you do with them that counts," he reflects, grounding his work in reality over riches.

Got a story that just can't wait? We're all ears - drop us a line!