What is YZi Labs?

YZi Labs is the new name for what was previously known as Binance Labs, marking a significant shift in its brand, leadership, and investment strategy:

Rebranding and Leadership

YZi Labs emerged from a rebranding of Binance Labs in early 2025. This change corresponded with a transition from being the dedicated venture capital arm of Binance, to operating as the family office for Binance co-founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao and fellow co-founder Yi He1 2 3.
The firm is now led by Ella Zhang, one of the original founders of Binance Labs, who returned to head YZi Labs and oversee its broader ambitions4 2.

Strategic Focus and Activities

YZi Labs has expanded its focus beyond Web3 and blockchain projects to now actively invest in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology4 3 5.
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), after stepping down as Binance CEO and serving a brief prison sentence related to regulatory violations, is taking an increasingly hands-on role within YZi Labs. CZ now directly mentors startups and guides the fund’s strategic investments1 2 6 3.
In addition to VC investments, YZi Labs supports innovation with initiatives like a 12-week residency program for founders, aiming to foster synergy between AI, blockchain, and biotech4 5.

Notable Investments and Portfolio

Since its rebrand, YZi Labs made notable investments including:
- Vana Network: A crypto-AI firm focused on data sovereignty, where CZ also joined as an advisor7 8 9.
- Tensorplex Labs: An AI and blockchain venture working on decentralized AI and collaborative AI-human projects10.
- Plume Network: The lab’s first investment in a real-world asset (RWA)-focused blockchain, supporting DeFi and tokenized asset projects11.
- Sign: A platform enhancing on-chain token distribution and credential verification, chosen for its contribution to trust-building in the crypto ecosystem1 12.
As of early 2025, YZi Labs manages a large portfolio worth over $10 billion, including investments in 250+ projects — such as Sky Mavis, LayerZero, Aptos Labs, and Polygon12 4.

Mission

YZi Labs’ mission is to back transformative technologies with a long-term vision, fostering innovation at the intersection of blockchain, AI, and biotech. The evolution from Binance Labs to YZi Labs signifies both an operational and philosophical shift, reflecting greater independence and a broader investment thesis tied closely to CZ’s and Yi He’s vision for the future3 4 6.

In summary:
YZi Labs is the rebranded VC arm spun out from Binance, now functioning as a family office for CZ and Yi He with a mandate that crosses Web3, AI, and biotech. It leverages CZ's direct mentorship, maintains a highly active deal pipeline, and aims to catalyze innovation across emerging tech sectors.

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