In a recent feature by Forbes, it's revealed that Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, has seen an extraordinary surge in his wealth, nearly tripling his net worth since 2023.

Forbes' latest publication unveils a comprehensive ranking of the most affluent and influential figures in the cryptocurrency sphere, with Zhao reigning at the top. His net worth is astonishingly appraised at $33 billion, a remarkable leap compared to just a year prior. This surge is predominantly attributed to Zhao's commanding 90% stake in Binance, valued at an impressive $32.5 billion.

Despite grappling with significant legal battles throughout the past year, including a noteworthy case involving the violation of U.S. anti-money laundering and sanctions regulations, Zhao remains unrivaled atop the billionaire leaderboard. In November 2023, both Zhao and Binance pleaded guilty to these charges, culminating in a landmark settlement with the government. As part of this agreement, Zhao conceded to relinquish his position as CEO of the exchange and agreed to pay a substantial fine of $50 million. Additionally, Binance incurred a hefty penalty of $4.3 billion.

Despite the impending verdict on the money laundering charges set for April 30, Zhao's fortune remains largely unaffected. As Forbes aptly puts it, "Yet it hardly left a dent in his fortune. His stake in Binance—estimated to be 90%, based on corporate documents and conversations with former employees—is worth some $32.5 billion."

In the midst of Zhao's commanding presence, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong secures the second spot in Forbes' ranking, boasting an estimated fortune of $11.2 billion. Armstrong's wealth is intricately intertwined with Coinbase's market dominance, evidenced by the significant surge in Coinbase shares since the onset of 2023.

Rounding out the top three is Giancarlo Devasini, the CFO of Tether, with Forbes approximating his wealth at $9.2 billion.