Changpeng Zhao.

Co-founder, Binance, Binance

Co-founder of Binance and its CEO from 2017 to November 2023, when he stepped down and pleaded guilty to violating US anti-money-laundering law. He paid a $50 million fine and served about four months in prison. President Trump pardoned him in October 2025; in November 2025 Binance said no decision had been made on whether he would return.