Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao is facing potential prison time after admitting to criminal charges in the U.S.

However, despite these legal challenges, his fortune has remarkably increased to over $37 billion.

This resurgence is attributed to the bounce-back of Bitcoin, which surged over 160% after a challenging 2022.

Crypto Billionaires Index Insights

Changpeng Zhao (CZ) currently leads the pack among cryptocurrency entrepreneurs in terms of wealth accumulation.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, CZ stands at the 35th position. Notably, he is just shy of a billion dollars behind Tadashi Yanai, the CEO of the retail giant Uniqlo.

Zhao’s wealth mainly comes from his major stake in Binance. Despite a slight dip in its market share following the U.S. Department of Justice settlement, Binance benefited from higher trading volumes as the crypto market rebounded.

Legal Woes and Potential Sentencing

Despite his financial success, Changpeng Zhao faces legal uncertainties. He could potentially face up to 10 years in prison.

However, his plea deal hints at a shorter sentence, possibly not exceeding 18 months. This stands in contrast to other prominent figures in the crypto world who have encountered more severe legal consequences.

The exact duration of Zhao’s sentence remains undecided, with a scheduled sentencing date on Feb. 23. A judge in Seattle ruled on Dec. 9 that Zhao cannot return to his home in the UAE for the time being.

Despite this year’s financial gain, Zhao’s net worth is still below its peak of nearly $97 billion in early 2022. The peak was significantly impacted by the crypto winter triggered by the Terra LUNA and FTX collapse.