Yi He: When the Queen of Crypto Emerges from the Shadows to Become Binance's True Operator

Most people, when mentioning Binance’s success, their first reaction is Zhao Changpeng (CZ)'s brilliant strategy. But those who truly understand the operational logic of this crypto empire know that at every critical turning point, there is a figure quietly pushing from behind the scenes — she is Yi He. This co-founder rarely seeks the spotlight proactively, but at the most dangerous moments, she steps forward, using her execution ability and leadership wisdom to help Binance overcome numerous crises. To understand how Binance became a multi-billion dollar empire, one cannot ignore Yi He’s story.

From Poverty in Sichuan to Industry Miracle: How Yi He Broke Through Her Background

Yi He was born in a remote rural area of Sichuan, China. Electricity was scarce, drinking water was limited, and she lost her father at an early age. The seemingly helpless environment unexpectedly gifted her a precious gift — her father’s personal library. As a teacher, he opened the door to the outside world for his daughter.

While her peers worked in the fields, Yi He immersed herself in books. This experience shaped her ability to think independently and her determination to refuse being limited by her background. Following her mother’s expectations, she initially chose to study education, preparing to become a rural teacher. But her curiosity and creative impulses eventually overtook this steady path. She stood out in a TV casting call; despite lacking a professional background, her natural demeanor and sharp thinking earned her a position as a host on the Travel Channel.

From this experience, Yi He drew a simple but profound conclusion: your starting point does not determine how far you can go; your mindset and timing are the key factors.

Seeing the Future Early: Crypto or Obscure Markets

In 2013, when Bitcoin hovered around $1,000 and most people thought it was a scam, Yi He saw a different possibility. Through chance encounters with early crypto investors, she joined OKCoin as the head of marketing. At that time, it was China’s largest Bitcoin exchange.

Joining the crypto industry in 2013 meant jumping into a field full of uncertainties. For Yi He, this was precisely the opportunity — an arena where pioneers could set the rules rather than be bound by them. It was also at OKCoin that she met Changpeng Zhao.

The Meeting of Two Geniuses: How They Decided to Change the Crypto World

In 2014, Yi He, already making a name for herself at OKCoin, recruited an engineer at the CTO level — at that time, CZ was just another tech talent seeking breakthroughs. Three years later, when CZ was preparing to create Binance in 2017, his first thought was Yi He. He knew his weaknesses in marketing and community building, so he proactively sought her help.

Yi He’s response became legendary in the industry: “I’m expensive. You can’t afford my price.” It wasn’t until CZ repeatedly demonstrated the potential of BNB and Binance, especially on the eve of the ICO, that she agreed — but with a condition: “Go build it. I’ll handle everything else.”

Although they were never officially married legally, Yi He and CZ became life partners in practice — raising three children together while running the most intense enterprise in the crypto industry. This partnership is called the “Steel Alliance” within the industry: CZ focuses on systems and strategy, Yi He on personnel, execution, and growth.

The Executor in Crisis: Why Yi He Is Binance’s Invisible Mastermind

If CZ is the architect, then Yi He is the engineer. She is known for directly participating in daily execution, managing internal coordination, corporate culture, and crisis response. To her, titles are unimportant. As she once said, true leadership is about who stands at the forefront when the storm hits.

Binance’s dominance is not just from code and trading engines. A large part comes from Yi He coordinating the team, maintaining morale under pressure, and keeping the organization focused on users even when facing existential threats. Over time, the crypto community began recognizing her as one of the most influential women in the industry. Although her exact assets have never been disclosed, reports from major media outlets suggest she controls at least 10% of Binance’s shares.

The Evolution of Power: Official Return in 2025

In December 2025, Yi He was officially appointed as co-CEO alongside Richard Teng, marking her formal return to executive power. In this new role, she continues to oversee the operations of YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs). This appointment was no coincidence but a formal recognition of her long-term contributions.

“A Philosophy of Life That Isn’t Afraid of Failure”: How Yi He Thinks About Success

Emerging from poverty gave Yi He an unusual advantage: she isn’t afraid of losing. She often quotes the concept of “imitation desire” — most pain comes from chasing others’ dreams. To her, success is a reward, and failure is an inevitable part of progress. She views crypto as a game of chess: pieces may be lost, but never the belief.

In her personal life, Yi He is equally uncompromising. She returned to work almost immediately after childbirth, openly rejecting the idea that motherhood and ambition cannot coexist. To her, career and family are active choices, not sacrifices imposed by circumstances. In relationships, she believes only strong individuals can walk together long-term. This is a pragmatic, straightforward worldview — fitting for someone often called the “Crypto Queen,” who bears both strength and pressure.

Breaking the Invisible Glass Ceiling: How Yi He Redefines Leadership

By conventional standards, Yi He started at a disadvantage: rural poverty, early loss of her father, no elite background. But she repeatedly chose uncertainty over comfort — leaving teaching, entering crypto early, standing firm during Binance’s most dangerous moments.

What sets Yi He apart is not wealth or titles, but perspective. She doesn’t complain about her starting point, nor wait for permission. She embraces risk and takes responsibility for results. In the ruthless industry of crypto, latecomers are often quickly forgotten. Yi He’s story reminds us: no one remains invisible forever if they are resilient, persistent, and have enough foresight to see the road to the finish line.