Who is Yi He? The quiet power behind Changpeng Zhao now running Binance as its new co-CEO

Yi He Binance co-CEO: Binance Holdings, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, is entering a new era of leadership with the appointment of Yi He as co-CEO, sharing duties with acting CEO Richard Teng, as per a report. The announcement marks the most significant leadership change at the company since Teng succeeded founder Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty to violating US money-laundering laws in 2023, as per a CNBC report.

Yi He Becomes Co-CEO of Binance

Yi He co-founded Binance with Zhao in 2017 and has maintained a relatively low public profile despite playing a central role in the company’s growth. She has been described in media reports as the “Crypto Queen” behind the scenes, influencing major decisions across marketing, investments, and strategic direction. Her social profiles list her most recent role as Chief Customer Service Officer at Binance.

Richard Teng Praises Yi He’s Contributions

Teng, who has a background in financial regulation, including a senior role at Singapore’s central bank, praised Yi He’s contributions, saying, ″[Yi He] has been there from the start, and she has been driving a lot of changes and driving the growth of Binance,” as quoted by CNBC.


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Yi He’s Personal Connection to CZ

Yi He’s position as a co-CEO comes after Zhao received a pardon from US president Donald Trump, reflecting a more favorable regulatory environment for the crypto sector. In her previous public statements, Yi He defended Zhao during his 2024 trial, describing herself as both his business partner and the mother of his three children. She met Zhao at a public blockchain event in 2014 while working at cryptocurrency exchange OKCoin and recruited him to join her.

Driving Binance’s Vision and Strategy

Binance noted in a statement that Yi He has “played a fundamental role in shaping Binance’s vision and culture, guiding a strategy focused on users’ needs and innovation," as quoted by CNBC.

She herself highlighted the “complementary perspectives and shared vision,” she now has with Teng, saying, “Together, we bring diverse perspectives and are confident in leading the future of the industry during this pivotal time, as we responsibly expand our global presence and drive sustainable innovation with our users always at the center,” as quoted by CNBC.

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FAQs

What role did Yi He have before becoming co-CEO?
Her most recent role listed on social profiles was Chief Customer Service Officer.

How does Yi He plan to lead Binance?
She emphasizes collaboration with Teng, focusing on innovation, user needs, and responsible global expansion.