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原来他是华人首富:1977年生于江苏连云港,2024年入狱于美国

Core Viewpoint - Zhao Changpeng, once the richest Chinese with a peak net worth of $90 billion, has experienced a dramatic rise and fall, transitioning from a tech-savvy entrepreneur to facing legal challenges in the U.S. due to regulatory scrutiny of his cryptocurrency exchange, Binance [1][2][23]. Group 1: Background and Early Life - Zhao Changpeng was born in 1977 in Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China, and immigrated to Canada with his family in the late 1980s [3]. - He studied computer science at McGill University and worked in various financial technology firms, gaining extensive experience in both finance and technology [5]. Group 2: Rise of Binance - In 2013, after attending a Bitcoin conference, Zhao invested all his assets into Bitcoin, recognizing the potential of decentralized finance [6][8]. - He founded Binance in 2017, which quickly became the largest cryptocurrency exchange globally, leveraging an ICO to raise $15 million in just three minutes [12][13]. - Binance's user base grew rapidly, reaching over 6 million within six months, and the value of its token, BNB, skyrocketed from $0.1 to over $600 [13]. Group 3: Regulatory Challenges and Exit from China - Following a crackdown on ICOs by Chinese regulators in September 2017, Zhao announced Binance's exit from the Chinese market, adopting a decentralized operational model [14][16]. - The exchange's business model, which included anonymous trading and high-risk products, faced increasing scrutiny from regulators [16]. Group 4: Legal Issues in the U.S. - Starting in 2022, Zhao faced investigations from multiple U.S. regulatory bodies for alleged violations, including money laundering and operating without proper registration [17][19]. - In November 2023, he voluntarily surrendered to U.S. authorities, agreeing to pay a $4.3 billion settlement and stepping down as CEO, while avoiding severe penalties [20][21]. Group 5: Current Status and Future Prospects - Despite stepping down, Zhao retains significant ownership in Binance and is still one of the largest holders of BNB, with a net worth estimated at over $38 billion as of early 2025 [23]. - The potential for Zhao to regain his status as the richest Chinese depends on the future performance of Bitcoin and Binance's compliance efforts [25]. Group 6: Public Perception and Legacy - Zhao is viewed as both a pioneer of a new financial order and a controversial figure in the cryptocurrency space, with opinions divided on his impact on the industry [27][28]. - His journey reflects the complexities of navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of cryptocurrency and regulatory environments [29].