Since the birth of Bitcoin in 2009, it has spawned a large number of wealth myths, with Chinese investors playing an important role. From the early niche experiments of geeks to the current trillion-dollar global assets, Bitcoin's surge has allowed a group of Chinese investors to achieve financial freedom, even entering the ranks of billionaires.
Among them, Li Xiaolai, Zhao Changpeng (CZ), and Sun Yuchen, with their keen business acumen and aggressive investment strategies, have become representative figures of China's Bitcoin tycoons. Their stories showcase the wealth-creating miracles of digital currencies and reveal the enormous risks of the market.
1. Li Xiaolai: From English teacher to 'China's Bitcoin tycoon,' currently holding about 320,000 coins.
Li Xiaolai is one of the earliest Bitcoin investors in China and one of the most controversial figures in the crypto world. His wealth story began in 2011, when the price of Bitcoin was less than 1 dollar, and he decisively invested all his savings to buy about 100,000 Bitcoins.
Wealth explosion: In 2013, Bitcoin first broke through $1,000, and Li Xiaolai's holdings surged to 1 billion yuan, earning him the title of 'China's Bitcoin tycoon.' In 2017, Bitcoin rose to $20,000, and his assets once approached $2 billion.
Business layout: In addition to holding Bitcoin, he also founded the Bitcoin Fund, invested in several blockchain projects, and published books such as 'The Road to Financial Freedom' to further expand his influence.
Controversy continues: In 2018, a recording was exposed where he candidly stated that 'value investing does not work in the crypto world,' and he was accused of 'cutting leeks.' Although he gradually faded out of the crypto scene later, his wealth myth is still widely discussed.
Key point: Li Xiaolai's success stems from early entry + long-term holding, but he is also heavily criticized due to market manipulation controversies.
2. Zhao Changpeng (CZ): From programmer to founder of the world's largest exchange, currently holding about 980,000 coins.
Zhao Changpeng (CZ) is the founder of Binance exchange, and his wealth rise is more rapid than Li Xiaolai.
Selling a house to invest all in Bitcoin: In 2014, Zhao Changpeng sold his property in Shanghai and bought Bitcoin with all his assets, then joined OKCoin as CTO.
Founded Binance: In 2017, he established the Binance exchange, developing it into the world's largest cryptocurrency trading platform in just six months, with his personal wealth exceeding $2 billion in 2018.
Wealth peak: By 2025, despite Binance facing regulatory pressures in multiple countries, CZ still ranks among the top of the global cryptocurrency billionaire list with a net worth of $6.5 billion.
Key point: Zhao Changpeng's wealth myth not only comes from Bitcoin investment but also stems from the exchange's business model, but it also faces significant challenges in regulatory compliance.
3. Sun Yuchen: From Peking University talent to founder of TRON, currently holding about 700,000 coins.
Sun Yuchen's wealth path is different from the previous two; he did not become rich by hoarding coins, but rather achieved wealth growth through blockchain entrepreneurship.
Founded TRON: In 2017, he launched the TRON public chain, focusing on an efficient and low-cost blockchain payment network. By 2025, TRON users reached 320 million, with on-chain stablecoin (USDT) circulation reaching $80 billion.
Wealth growth: Sun Yuchen's personal wealth mainly comes from TRON tokens (TRX) and ecological layout, making it to the cover of Forbes in 2025, becoming a representative figure of Chinese blockchain entrepreneurship.
Controversy and challenges: TRON has been questioned for 'over-marketing,' but Sun Yuchen has gradually improved industry recognition through strategic planning (such as the Hong Kong strategy).
Key point: Sun Yuchen's wealth myth relies on blockchain entrepreneurship + stablecoin ecosystem, rather than merely speculating on coins.
Although the wealth stories of Li Xiaolai, Zhao Changpeng, and Sun Yuchen are enviable, behind them are many forgotten painful lessons. Risks in crypto investments have never been far away, and have even become more deadly as the market expands.
Bitcoin once plummeted by 80% in 2018 and was halved again in 2022, leaving many leveraged investors with nothing; China has banned cryptocurrency trading since 2017, making it impossible for many investors to cash out; incidents of exchanges running away and wallets being hacked occurred frequently.
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