CZ Considers Opening YZi Labs’ Portfolio to External Investors

According to Financial Times, Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs, revealed that the company plans to “eventually consider turning it into an external-facing fund.” For now, however, YZi Labs remains focused on its existing ventures, managed by a 12-member team.

“In AI and biotechnology, we are still at an early stage, building our team. Once we have the expertise and confidence, we will open the fund to external investors. This would entail a huge responsibility,” Zhang said.

YZi Labs, restructured from Binance Labs, currently operates as a venture capital firm investing in early-stage projects in Web3, cryptocurrency, AI, and biotechnology. Established in early 2025, the firm functions as the family office of CZ and Binance co-founder Yi He.

As of August 2025, Changpeng Zhao ranks 24th on Forbes’ list of billionaires with an estimated net worth of $84.8 billion. YZi Labs manages his assets and invests in projects aligned with his vision for Web3 and biotech innovation.

However, should the fund open to U.S. investors, it could face stricter regulatory scrutiny, especially as CZ has not received a formal pardon from former President Donald Trump following his four-month prison sentence in 2024. In 2023, CZ pleaded guilty to violations of anti-money laundering regulations, while Binance admitted to related charges and agreed to pay over $4.3 billion in fines for breaching international sanctions.

After serving his sentence, CZ launched YZi Labs with the goal of investing in and supporting early-stage startups in artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology. He stated that he is committed to providing funding, mentorship, and access to resources for promising projects.

According to Zhang, YZi Labs has already received more than 50 funding proposals, with around 70% of its portfolio currently allocated to digital assets. However, there is growing interest in AI and robotics.

“CZ’s vision is that robots will assist humans in various tasks, and that transactions in the future will be conducted entirely through crypto wallets,” Zhang said.