Binance Venture Arm That Acts as CZs Personal Office Mulls Accepting New Investors

Core Insights - YZi Labs, a private investment company spun off from Binance in early 2025, is likely majority owned by Binance insiders, including Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and his close associates [1][3] - The company is contemplating opening up to external investors, indicating a shift from its previous private ownership model [1][7] Company Background - YZi Labs originated from Binance Labs, which was established in 2018 and became a leading startup incubator and venture capital investor in the crypto and blockchain space [2] - The rebranding to YZi Labs reflects its increased independence from Binance [2] Ownership and Management - The spinoff allows CZ to engage more actively with YZi Labs, circumventing a U.S. injunction that prevents him from holding executive roles at Binance [3] - CZ is humorously listed as an intern on YZi Labs' website, despite likely holding a controlling stake [3][4] Investment Strategy - YZi Labs was tasked with deploying $10 billion in investments, a directive from CZ when he was still CEO of Binance [5] - The firm has supported numerous crypto projects, including well-known platforms like Polygon, PancakeSwap, and Axie Infinity, and has recently backed Ethena's stablecoin platform [6] Future Directions - While maintaining a strong focus on crypto and decentralized finance, YZi Labs is expanding into sectors such as AI, DePINs, and innovative blockchain applications [8]