# Changpeng Zhao: The Founder of Binance

Changpeng Zhao, better known as "CZ," is the founder and former CEO of Binance , the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume . He established Binance in 2017 , capitalizing on the burgeoning cryptocurrency market . His success is attributed to factors including early support for ERC-20 tokens, a high-performance matching engine capable of processing 1.4 million orders per second , and a focus on user experience . Binance quickly rose to prominence, becoming a dominant force in the cryptocurrency exchange landscape . CZ's journey and Binance's rapid growth have made him a significant figure in the crypto world, attracting both praise and scrutiny .