Base

In November 2021, during a conversation with Forbes Ukraine, Binance cryptocurrency exchange founder Changpeng Zhao (or CZ) called the United States the most crypto-friendly country in the world. Two and a half years later, CZ was forced to leave his position as Binance CEO under pressure from American regulators, and the company itself paid a record fine of $4.3 billion.

The company was suspected of violating anti-money laundering rules. In particular, Binance, according to regulators, could be used by terrorist organizations such as Hamas or Al-Qaeda.

Zhao, who currently ranks 51st on the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires list with a fortune of $33 billion, was banned from interfering in Binance's affairs for three years, but he can still own a majority stake in the company. He was replaced as CEO by Richard Teng, former head of regional markets at Binance.