Binance’s CZ Invests $16M in Blockchain Platform Sign – Here’s Why

After serving a four-month prison sentence in the U.S. for violating anti-money laundering laws, former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao Changpeng Zhao   Changpeng Zhao, populalrly known as CZ, is a Chinese-Canadian businessman. He founded Binance, the biggest cryptocurrency exchange in the world based on trading volume. CZ came across Bitcoin (BTC) in 2013 from a friend.   Quick Facts   Full Name Changpeng Zhao Birth  1977 in Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China Nationality Chinese-Canadian, UAE Education BSc. from McGill University Marital Status Married to Yang Weiqing Famous For Binance, Advocate for decentralized finance, blockchain tech. Net Worth $59.4B (refer for realtime)   Before starting Binance in 2017, he was the Head of Development at Blockchain.info and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at OKCoin. Under CZ, Binance launched an ICO (Initial Coin Offering) that raised $15 million and rapidly became the largest exchange within months.   To improve trading options, the firm introduced Binance Smart Chain (BSC), Binance Labs, Binance Academy, Binance Launchpad, and other blockchain-based solutions. CZ has influenced the global adoption of crypto by offering regulatory compliance, DeFi solutions, and infrastructure for digital assets.   CZ’s Career Timeline   Tokyo Stock Exchange (2001–2003) – Developed trading systems for financial institutions. Bloomberg Tradebook (2003–2005) – Worked as a software developer for high-frequency trading systems. Fusion Systems (2005–2013) – Co-founded this financial technology firm specializing in ultra-low-latency trading solutions. Blockchain.info (2013–2014) – Served as Head of Development, working with early Bitcoin adopters like Roger Ver and Ben Reeves. OKCoin (2014–2015) – Worked as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at one of the largest fiat-to-crypto exchanges at the time. Binance (2017–2023) – Founded Binance and led it to become the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange before stepping down as CEO in 2023.   Awards and Recognizations of CZ   List of achievements Year Bloomberg 50 – Most Influential People in Finance 2021 Forbes Crypto Rich List – Billionaire Status 2022 Top 10 Most Influential People in Crypto (CoinDesk) 2022 Binance – World’s Largest Crypto Exchange by Volume 2018-23   There were regulatory issues in some countries about crypto. However, CZ continued to support decentralization, financial freedom, and innovation in the cryptocurrency industry. After reaching an agreement with U.S. regulators over compliance violations, in 2023, he resigned as CEO of Binance.   Useful Links To Connect With CZ   X (formerly Twiter) https://twitter.com/cz_binance? Instagram CZ_Binance (@changpengzhao)  LinkedIn Changpeng Zhao - Binance | LinkedIn     EntrepreneurInvestorChief Executive Officer is back in the crypto world. His first big move? Investing $16 million in blockchain platform Sign, signaling his return to the industry.

We know you’re curious to know what this means for your holdings. Read on.

Investing in Blockchain Growth

On January 28, YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs) shared on X that they had invested in Sign, a blockchain-based token airdrop service. The company’s goal is to improve global token distribution for both people and AI agents, marking a significant step toward broader blockchain adoption.

Reports confirm that CZ actively participated in this $16 million funding round. Although he had shown interest in biotech after stepping down from Binance, he still supports blockchain, Web3, and DeFi startups. 

Despite restrictions that prevent him from holding executive roles at Binance or influencing its decisions, CZ’s investment in Sign shows he’s still active in the crypto world.

Why Did CZ Choose Sign?

Sign focuses on distributing new cryptocurrencies through airdrops, rewarding early adopters, and encouraging participation in blockchain projects. Its standout feature is its secure token launch system, which uses strict rules and identity verification for all participants—ensuring the platform’s reliability and trustworthiness.

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Impressive Growth and Future Plans

Since launching in 2021, Sign has experienced impressive growth. The company earned $1.7 million in revenue in 2023, but that figure surged to $15 million in 2024. According to Sign’s CEO and co-founder, Xin Yan, the growth is largely due to the success of the Open Network TON blockchain, which saw a significant increase in token airdrops last year.

With the new funding, Sign plans to expand globally and help governments incorporate blockchain technology. Its focus on on-chain identity verification could help make crypto safer and more widely accepted.

Support from Top Investors

Alongside CZ’s investment, other major investors in this funding round include Altos Ventures, HackVC, and Amber Ventures. Their backing further demonstrates strong confidence in Sign’s potential to make an impact in the blockchain and crypto space.

It seems like CZ is here to stay and he’s making his presence known!