Forbes 2026 Rich List Puts Binance's CZ Ahead of Bill Gates as Zhao Disputes $111.1B Estimate

On March 11, 2026, Forbes ranked Binance founder Changpeng Zhao in 17th place on its billionaires list with an estimated net worth of $111.1B, placing him above Bill Gates at 19th with $105.7B. Zhao publicly argued that Forbes's methodology and figures are inaccurate, noting that crypto prices had dropped more than 50% in 2026 even as his reported wealth rose. Forbes said its 2026 calculations were based on stock prices, exchange rates as of March 1, and assessments of assets such as company stakes, real estate, and other investments.