YZi Labs, the rebranded enterprise capital arm previously recognized as Binance Labs, has categorically denied claims in a Monetary Occasions (FT) report suggesting it’s pursuing exterior traders or elevating funds. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) straight addressed the allegations in a public put up on X, stating the report incorporates “false data” and emphasizing that YZi Labs has not engaged in fundraising actions, ready pitch decks, or communicated with potential traders since its rebranding in early 2025[1]. CZ additional clarified that no exterior traders, together with Paul Atkins, have been approached, and the entity stays impartial of Binance[5].
YZi Labs, now positioned as a household workplace managing the wealth of CZ and Binance co-founder Yi He, was rebranded from Binance Labs to replicate a strategic pivot towards synthetic intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and Web3 initiatives. The entity, led by co-founder Ella Zhang, has expanded its focus past blockchain to incorporate sectors such as AI and biotech, with a portfolio valued at over $10 billion. This consists of investments in 250+ initiatives, such as Polygon, Aptos Labs, and Tensorplex Labs[3]. CZ, who stepped down as Binance CEO in 2023 and served a four-month jail sentence for regulatory violations, now mentors startups and guides the fund’s technique[3].
The FT report cited Ella Zhang’s remarks about potential curiosity from exterior traders, however CZ dismissed these claims as deceptive. He emphasised that YZi Labs has no plans to boost capital and that the agency’s operations stay personal. “There isn’t any demo. WTF is a demo for a fund? There isn’t any pitch deck for YZiLabs ever,” CZ wrote, refuting options of a public fundraising effort[5]. Zhang echoed these sentiments, stating that whereas there may be “all the time plenty of exterior curiosity,” the agency shouldn’t be but ready to open to exterior traders because of its early-stage improvement in AI and biotech[6]. She added that the crew is concentrated on constructing experience in these fields earlier than contemplating such a transfer[8].
YZi Labs’ portfolio consists of a mixture of blockchain and non-blockchain ventures, with 70% of its property tied to digital property. Current investments embrace
Community, a crypto-AI agency, and Plume Community, a real-world asset (RWA)-focused blockchain challenge. The agency additionally launched a 12-week residency program to foster collaboration between AI, blockchain, and biotech innovators[3]. Regardless of its expanded focus, YZi Labs maintains its dedication to blockchain, with its supported tokens typically listed on Binance. The agency’s $2.7 trillion web valuation, pushed by tokens like and , underscores its continued affect within the crypto ecosystem[5].
CZ’s current initiatives, such as Giggle Academy—a free Okay-12 training platform—replicate his post-prison give attention to impact-driven initiatives. Whereas YZi Labs stays a personal entity, its strategic route aligns with CZ’s broader imaginative and prescient of leveraging know-how for societal profit. The agency’s long-term strategy, as described by Zhang, diverges from conventional enterprise capital fashions that prioritize annual returns[8]. Analysts word that any future shift towards exterior fundraising would face heightened regulatory scrutiny, significantly within the U.S., the place crypto-related investments are below intense regulatory overview[7].
