Binance co-founders Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao and Yi He used the cartoon aliases ‘Homer’ and ‘Marge’ from The Simpsons in company meetings, according to a report. Yi, now co-CEO of Binance alongside Richard Teng, continues to use ‘Marge’ in meetings and chats.
The playful pseudonyms add a lighthearted note to the internal culture of one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. Binance, founded in 2017, has grown rapidly under Zhao and He’s leadership, though recent regulatory scrutiny has impacted its operations.
Key Facts
- Binance co-founders Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao and Yi He used the aliases ‘Homer’ and ‘Marge’ in company meetings.
- Yi He, now co-CEO of Binance, still uses the alias ‘Marge’ in meetings and chats.
- Richard Teng is currently co-CEO of Binance alongside Yi He.
Why Use Cartoon Aliases?
The adoption of cartoon character names by Binance’s leadership suggests an informal corporate culture at the cryptocurrency exchange. While not uncommon in tech startups, the sustained use of these aliases years later is more unusual, especially for executives at a major financial platform. The practice may reflect efforts to maintain a startup feel despite Binance’s massive growth.
Leadership at Binance Today
Binance’s current leadership structure features Yi He and Richard Teng as co-CEOs. Teng joined Binance in 2021 from the Abu Dhabi Global Market financial regulator. The sharing of CEO duties follows Zhao’s departure from the CEO role amid regulatory settlements. Yi He, who helped found Binance in 2017, has played an increasingly public role in recent years.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- Binance co-founders used ‘Homer’ and ‘Marge’ aliases in meetings
- Yi He continues using ‘Marge’ in current communications
- Richard Teng shares CEO duties with Yi He
Still unconfirmed:
- When exactly the aliases were first adopted
- Whether ‘Homer’ remains in use by Zhao
- How widely these aliases are known within Binance
Why It Matters
The use of cartoon aliases offers insight into the corporate culture at Binance, a company that has faced significant regulatory scrutiny while dominating crypto trading volumes. Such informal practices may reflect attempts to maintain startup energy despite operating at massive scale, though critics might question whether this approach aligns with expectations for financial services leadership.
What To Watch
Whether these internal cultural practices continue as Binance evolves under new regulatory commitments and leadership structures. The long-term implications of maintaining such informal traditions for a major financial platform remain unclear.