Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, has quietly donated $10 million in BNB tokens to support open‑source biotech projects led by Ethereum co‑founder Vitalik Buterin.
The gift was made months ago but revealed only recently in a post praising YZi Labs’ focus on people-centred science. Zhao said he was “just doing my little part” to drive healthcare innovation forward.
Details of the Contribution
CZ’s donation flows through Buterin’s Kanro fund, which backs biotechnology research and philanthropy. In his note, Zhao explained that his family office, YZi Labs, had already invested in similar initiatives.
He added that he had made private gifts to other charities with “some good results” and plans to share outcomes soon. The fresh $10 million in BNB enhances the fund’s capacity to finance open‑source efforts in drug development, diagnostics, and biosecurity.
Decentralised Science Vision
Vitalik Buterin has argued that big corporations now dominate biotech, often prioritising profit over patient welfare. He believes that applying blockchain ideals, transparency, open‑source development, and privacy can reshape research for public benefit.
In a 2023 blog post, Buterin outlined how zero‑knowledge proofs could help track and contain epidemics without exposing personal data. He also suggested rapid community‑driven projects, like open vaccine protocols and portable air testers, could save lives in future crises.
CZ’s Investment Philosophy
Zhao said he prefers backing overlooked founders and novel models rather than following established paths. He noted that many promising scientists struggle to secure funding from traditional sources.
Also Read: Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Outlines Four Pillars Of Sustainable And Scalable L1 Blockchains
By personally engaging with innovators, CZ aims to offer not just capital but active support. “I roll up my sleeves and sit at tables with founders,” he wrote, emphasising hands‑on involvement over passive financing.
Community and Collaboration
The partnership between YZi Labs and Vitalik’s Kanro fund grew from conversations about patients left without options and researchers sidelined by corporate interests.
CZ’s genuine curiosity and drive won praise across the crypto world. Many in online forums hailed his gift as a sign that blockchain leaders are willing to invest in public‑good projects beyond token markets.
Role of Meme Coin Liquidations
Buterin has made open‑source biotech funding a routine use for unsolicited meme tokens sent to his wallet.
He regularly converts these tokens into stablecoins or other assets to fuel research grants. CZ’s BNB donation adds a significant, targeted boost to this model, showing how large donors can work alongside grassroots contributions to sustain long‑term science initiatives.
Bridging Finance and Science
Both CZ and Buterin see their efforts as part of a broader shift toward democratizing research. Zhao pointed out that combining YZi Labs’ biotech network with blockchain tools could accelerate discovery and lower costs.
Buterin, for his part, has championed smart contracts that automate grant distribution, ensuring funds reach worthy projects quickly and transparently.
Impact on Future Projects
The $10 million infusion lets the Kanro fund expand its portfolio of collaborative labs, open datasets, and community challenges.
Early initiatives have included decentralised drug screening and AI‑driven biology experiments. With CZ’s backing, the fund can scale these pilots, recruit top talent, and explore new areas like synthetic biology and environmental biosensors.
The partnership marks a key moment for blockchain‑powered philanthropy in biotechnology. As open‑source projects gain momentum, observers will watch how efficiently the Kanro fund allocates resources and measures success.