Binance co-CEO Yi He made history as the first crypto-native executive to land on Fortune's 2026 Most Powerful Women in Business list. The honor reflects both her rise within the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange and growing mainstream recognition of crypto leadership.
Yi He co-founded Binance with Changpeng Zhao in 2017 and has served as co-CEO since the platform's inception. She oversees critical operations at an exchange that handles hundreds of billions in daily trading volume across spot, futures, and derivatives markets. Binance commands roughly 20-25% of global crypto exchange market share, making her one of the industry's most influential operators.
Her inclusion on Fortune's list arrives amid turbulent times for Binance. The exchange faced sustained regulatory pressure in 2023, with the U.S. Department of Justice and SEC launching parallel investigations into anti-money laundering compliance and unregistered securities offerings. Zhao pleaded guilty to money laundering charges in November 2023 and stepped down as CEO, though Binance continued operating under new leadership while he served his sentence.
Yi He's elevation highlights the expanding influence of women in crypto executive roles. The industry has historically skewed male, but her prominence at Binance demonstrates that female leaders now steer multi-billion dollar platforms shaping global financial infrastructure.
Fortune's recognition carries weight in institutional circles. The list's inclusion signals legitimacy to traditional finance players, asset managers, and policymakers assessing the crypto sector's durability. It positions Yi He alongside Fortune 500 CEOs and suggests the business establishment views crypto leadership as worthy of mainstream corporate status.
The timing underscores crypto's maturation narrative. As Bitcoin spot ETFs attracted institutional capital and major banks expanded custody services, Fortune's recognition of Yi He reflects the industry's transition from fringe speculation to established finance. Her presence on the list normalizes crypto executive power in ways that matter for regulatory dialogue and mainstream adoption.