Binance Appoints Co-Founder Yi He as Co-CEO Alongside Richard Teng

TLDR

• Yi He, Binance co-founder, has been appointed co-CEO alongside Richard Teng, who became CEO in 2023
• He has served as head of marketing and Chief Customer Service Officer during her eight years at Binance
• The dual leadership structure was announced at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai on December 3, 2025
• Teng took over as CEO after Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to violating U.S. money laundering laws in 2023
• Yi He and Zhao were previously in a romantic relationship and have children together

Binance announced a major leadership change on December 3, 2025, naming co-founder Yi He as co-CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange. The appointment was revealed by current CEO Richard Teng during his keynote speech at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai.

Yi He will share leadership responsibilities with Teng in the new dual CEO structure. She has been with Binance for over eight years and currently holds the position of Chief Customer Service Officer, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Born in 1988 in China, Yi He co-founded Binance with Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as CZ. Unlike Zhao, who maintained a public presence, He has operated behind the scenes throughout her tenure at the company.

He previously served as head of marketing at Binance. Her role focused on strategic planning, branding, and business expansion for the exchange.

Richard Teng became Binance’s CEO in 2023 following Zhao’s legal troubles. Zhao pleaded guilty to violating U.S. money laundering laws and paid a $50 million fine. He served nearly four months in prison last year.

Strategic Focus and Company Vision

Teng described Yi He as an integral part of Binance’s executive leadership team since the company’s launch. He stated that her approach has been instrumental in shaping the company’s vision, culture, and business strategy.

The dual leadership aims to expand Binance’s global presence while strengthening compliance measures. The structure combines Teng’s background as a former financial regulator with He’s experience in user-focused innovation.

Personal Background

Yi He and Changpeng Zhao were previously in a romantic relationship. The pair have children together, though Zhao is no longer involved in Binance’s day-to-day operations.

Zhao is a Canadian citizen who was born and raised in China until age 12. Yi He formerly hosted a Chinese TV travel show before her work in cryptocurrency.

U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned Zhao in October 2024. Teng stated in November that no decision has been made regarding whether Zhao would return to the exchange following the pardon.

Leadership Statements

Yi He said she is honored to work alongside Teng, who brings decades of experience in regulated financial markets. She noted that he was among the first to regulate crypto in its early days.

Teng emphasized that the appointment represents a natural progression for He’s role at the company. A Binance spokesperson said He’s co-leadership will complement Teng’s steady hand as the firm navigates regulatory challenges.

The company stated it remains dedicated to being the most trusted and regulated exchange globally. Both leaders expressed confidence in leading the industry during this time as they work to expand operations and drive innovation with users at the center.

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