Former Binance Labs, now YZi Labs, makes a bold $16M investment in token airdrop startup Sign as Zhao reenters the crypto scene after prison release.
YZi Labs, the newly rebranded venture capital arm once known as Binance Labs, is making a strong return to the investment scene. Fresh off his release from U.S. prison, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has taken an active role in investments, leading a $16 million funding round into Sign, a startup focused on simplifying token distribution and on-chain credential verification, according to Fortune.
This shift is a major transformation. YZi Labs is no longer tied to Binance as its venture capital arm but now operates as the personal family office of Zhao and Binance co-founder Yi He. Zhao, who stepped down as Binance CEO after pleading guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, is now fully focused on strategic investments.
Zhao emphasized the importance of transparent token distribution, stating in an email to Fortune, “Proper distribution builds trust, and verification is an essential part of it.” His involvement signals confidence in Sign’s mission to create a more trustworthy token economy.
After serving four months in prison and agreeing to a $50 million fine, Zhao is positioning himself as a key player in the crypto investment space.
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