Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao’s wealth has ballooned as BNB, the native token of Binance, surged to a record high of $850.70 this week.

According to on-chain data platform Nansen, CZ currently holds around 89.1 million BNB tokens—approximately 64% of the total circulating supply. That stake alone is now worth over $75.8 billion.

Back in February, CZ shared on Binance Square that 98% of his portfolio was in BNB, with a small 1.3% held in Bitcoin. A Forbes report published in June 2024 placed CZ at number 23 on the global billionaires list, based on his BNB holdings and a reported 90% ownership stake in Binance.

If the current BNB valuation holds, CZ’s crypto net worth would now surpass that of Julia Koch and family, who own 42% of Koch Industries.

Why BNB Is Surging

Analysts believe the latest price rally is tied to rising on-chain activity and token economics.

Kronos Research analyst Dominick John pointed to three key factors fueling the rise:

• Growing Total Value Locked (TVL) on the BNB Chain
• Increased stablecoin circulation
• Record trading volume on the decentralized exchange PancakeSwap

All three metrics have hit new 2025 highs.

At the same time, large investors—or whales—are stacking BNB, and corporate entities are showing interest. Notably, Chinese microchip manufacturer Nano Labs recently revealed plans to acquire up to 10% of the circulating BNB supply.

Network Upgrade and Burn Mechanism

The recent Maxwell upgrade, which went live on June 30, has also added fuel to BNB’s momentum. It promises faster block times, improved validator coordination, and smoother network performance.

Another major factor is BNB’s ongoing token burn program. Binance has steadily reduced the token’s supply since launch, burning millions of BNB to create deflationary pressure.

Kadan Stadelmann, CTO of Komodo Platform, said:

“The token burn reduces supply, which tends to support price growth. Investors expect continued burns, and recent activity confirms this trend.”

Whale Activity Driving Momentum

Experts warn that because BNB operates in a relatively smaller market compared to assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum, large investors and corporate treasuries can have a significant influence on its price.

Stadelmann emphasized that whales often move markets in proof-of-stake ecosystems like BNB Chain:

“Whales and treasury wallets hold disproportionate influence. As long as whale demand stays strong and token burns continue, BNB could remain on a bullish trajectory.”

Summary

BNB’s climb to an all-time high of $850 has propelled CZ’s personal holdings beyond $75.8 billion. Analysts credit token burns, rising chain metrics, and large-scale accumulation for the price surge. With strong fundamentals and institutional interest, BNB could see more upside if network growth and burn schedules continue.