Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, has been ranked ahead of Bill Gates on the 2026 billionaire ranking released by Forbes. However, Zhao says the figures used to estimate his wealth are inaccurate.
CZ Ranked Above Bill Gates
The latest Forbes billionaire list places Zhao in the 17th position among the world’s richest individuals, while Gates appears slightly behind in 19th place.
The annual list tracks the fortunes of prominent entrepreneurs, investors, heirs, and celebrities around the globe. According to the publication’s data as of March 11, 2026, Zhao’s estimated net worth stands at about 111.1 billion dollars, while Gates is listed with a fortune of approximately 105.7 billion dollars.
The report suggests that Zhao’s wealth has grown steadily over the past three years, largely due to his cryptocurrency holdings linked to Binance. In contrast, Gates’ wealth has remained relatively stable and is primarily tied to his shares in Microsoft along with his extensive philanthropic activities.
Zhao Disputes the Estimates
Zhao later responded on social media, arguing that the calculations used by Forbes are incorrect. He said that even a quick look at the chart in the report suggests the numbers do not make sense.
In his post on X, Zhao questioned how the publication determined his net worth, noting that cryptocurrency prices have fallen by more than 50 percent in 2026 while the report indicates his wealth has increased.
He also stated that the estimates appear far from accurate. As an example, he pointed to the valuation of ByteDance, which is estimated at about 150 billion dollars, compared with the reported 69 billion dollar net worth of its former chief executive.
Forbes explained that its 2026 ranking was calculated using stock prices and currency exchange rates recorded on March 1. The publication also considers the range of assets billionaires are believed to control, including stakes in public companies, private businesses, real estate holdings, art collections, and other investments.
How Forbes Calculated Their Wealth
For Zhao, most of his estimated fortune comes from his ownership stake in Binance. According to Forbes data, he is believed to still control about 90 percent of the cryptocurrency exchange, which represents a significant portion of his wealth based on the company’s valuation.
He is also thought to hold a substantial amount of BNB connected to the Binance ecosystem. Zhao has previously said that around 98.5 percent of his crypto portfolio consists of BNB, while about 1.3 percent is held in Bitcoin. The exact amounts have not been publicly disclosed.
The calculation of Gates’ wealth is different. Forbes said that his fortune was historically linked to his Microsoft stake. Over the years, however, his ownership has dropped to less than one percent after significant charitable donations and asset diversification.
Gates has contributed more than 59 billion dollars to the trust that supports the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in recent years. According to Forbes, these donations have reduced his total net worth and affected his position on the billionaire ranking.#crypto #cryptonews https://t.me/coinsignalpublic https://coinsignals.net
