Crypto keeps changing fast, but a few names continue to sit at the center of the conversation. Binance, Changpeng Zhao ( @CZ ), and the ecosystem built around them are still impossible to ignore.
As of early 2026, BNB Chain remains one of the most active Layer-1 blockchains in the world. At the same time, YZi Labs — formerly Binance Labs — has quietly evolved into one of the most influential investment firms across Web3, AI, and even biotech.
With CZ stepping back from day-to-day operations but still acting as a strategic advisor, a big question naturally comes up:
Can BNB Chain and YZi Labs become the real long-term “king” of crypto?
Let’s break it down.
BNB Chain in 2026: Built for the Masses
BNB Chain has come a long way since its inception. Launched in 2020 as Binance Smart Chain, it was rebranded in 2022 to emphasize its independence from Binance while maintaining EVM compatibility for seamless developer adoption. By early 2026, following the Fermi hardfork, BNB Chain achieves sub-second block times (~0.45 seconds), supports up to 20,000 TPS across its ecosystem (including opBNB Layer-2), and integrates advanced features like native privacy (zk-based) and AI middleware.
By January 2026:
Daily active users regularly reach 4–5 million, often leading the entire industry.
DeFi TVL sits around $10–14 billion, with real institutional money flowing in through RWA products.
Daily transactions average 10–17 million, with spikes during memecoin and gaming waves.
PancakeSwap, opBNB, and memecoin platforms dominate on-chain activity.
BNB Chain isn’t trying to be the most “philosophically pure” blockchain. It’s trying to work. Cheap fees, fast confirmations, easy onboarding — especially for users in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
That’s why many people call it the people’s chain.
Compared to competitors:
- Vs. Solana: BNB Chain matches speed but wins on EVM compatibility and user base.
- Vs. Ethereum: Cheaper and faster for retail, though Ethereum leads in TVL.
- Vs. Tron: Superior in DeFi innovation, despite Tron's stablecoin dominance.
Challenges: Roadblocks to Royalty
1. Centralization Concerns: BNB Chain's validator model (PoSA with limited nodes) and ties to Binance/YZi Labs raise decentralization questions. Regulatory scrutiny could intensify.
2. Value Capture: Fee revenue ($259M in 2025) lags behind Solana ($606M), limiting token burns and price appreciation.
3. Competition: Solana's momentum, Ethereum's security, and emerging chains like Sui threaten market share.
YZi Labs: Quietly One of the Strongest Forces in Crypto
@YZi Labs , rebranded from Binance Labs in early 2025, operates as the family office for CZ and co-founder Yi He. Managing over $10 billion in assets, it invests across all stages in Web3, AI, and biotech, with a portfolio of over 300 projects spanning 25+ countries. Notable investments include infrastructure like Genius (a high-velocity on-chain trading terminal) and various DeFi, gaming, and RWA protocols.
As a venture capital firm, YZi Labs boasts impressive returns: Average Retail ROI of 2.3–3.3x, with 42% of its portfolio listed on Binance. It has incubated over 65 companies and led 80+ funding rounds. Under CZ's advisory role, YZi Labs focuses on "impact-first" investments, blending centralized efficiency with decentralized principles—evident in projects that fuse CEX speed with on-chain privacy.
What makes YZi Labs different isn’t just the money — it’s distribution, experience, and execution.
Over 300 portfolio companies.
More than 65 incubated projects.
Dozens of successful listings.
Strong focus on products that real users actually touch.
Instead of chasing hype, YZi Labs tends to back teams that blend centralized efficiency with decentralized ownership. That philosophy lines up perfectly with how BNB Chain itself has evolved.
CZ’s Influence Still Matters
Even after stepping down as Binance CEO, CZ’s presence is still felt everywhere in this ecosystem.
He no longer runs things day to day, but his priorities are clear:
Build real products
Focus on mass adoption
Stay ahead of regulation, not behind it
Under his guidance, both BNB Chain and YZi Labs are leaning into AI, real-world assets, privacy tech, and scalable infrastructure. This isn’t about short-term narratives. It’s about positioning for the next phase of crypto.
Why BNB Chain + YZi Labs Could Dominate
First, users.
BNB Chain consistently leads in real activity, not just inflated metrics. When the next wave of users enters crypto, they care about cost and speed — not ideology.
Second, capital.
YZi Labs brings institutional-grade funding and connections, especially into RWA and AI. That bridge between traditional finance and on-chain systems is becoming more valuable every year.
Third, execution.
While other ecosystems debate roadmaps, BNB Chain ships. Fast.
Compared to competitors:
Solana wins on speed narratives, but BNB Chain wins on users.
Ethereum dominates TVL, but loses retail due to cost.
Tron moves stablecoins well, but lacks ecosystem depth.
The Real Challenges
Centralization concerns still exist.
Revenue capture lags behind some competitors.
Regulatory history continues to follow CZ’s name.
And competition isn’t slowing down.
To truly “rule,” BNB Chain will need to improve decentralization, strengthen value accrual, and continue earning trust beyond its Binance roots.
So… King or Contender?
BNB Chain and YZi Labs are not the unquestioned rulers of crypto — yet.
But they are one of the few ecosystems that combine users, capital, infrastructure, and long-term vision in one place. With CZ guiding strategy from the background, they’re positioned extremely well for the next cycle of adoption.
If crypto’s future is about real usage instead of speculation, don’t be surprised if a large part of it ends up being built on $BNB
