Binance Co-founder News: Yi He Teams Up With Richard Teng to Reshape Executive Structure
On December 3, 2025, Binance, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange, announced a major shake-up at the top. Its co-founder Yi He has been named co-CEO. She will now lead the firm together with Richard Teng.
This move marks a big turning point. For years, Yi He worked behind the scenes shaping strategy, user experience, and growth. Now, she steps into the spotlight. Richard Teng, who became CEO in 2023, will continue overseeing compliance and global operations.
Together, they signal a new chapter for Binance. The change aims to bring more balance, stronger leadership, and clearer direction. It could reshape how Binance operates and how the crypto world sees it.
This article explores why this shift matters for Binance, its users, and the wider crypto industry.
Background: Why does this matter?
On December 3, 2025, Binance named co-founder Yi He as co-CEO alongside Richard Teng. This change is the most visible leadership shift since Changpeng “CZ” Zhao stepped down. The appointment aims to stabilize top management while the company navigates heavy regulatory headwinds and global expansion.
Yi He’s Role and Strengths
Yi He has been a core figure at Binance since its start in 2017. She built product direction, helped shape brand voice, and led Binance Labs’ early investments. Her work focused on user growth and product experience. Yi is known for quiet influence. Her public profile is modest. But her decisions shaped major company moves. Her promotion signals that Binance wants product and community leadership at the very top.
Richard Teng: The Regulator’s Operator
Richard Teng has a background in finance and regulatory engagement. He took the CEO role in 2023 amid intense scrutiny of Binance’s compliance practices. Teng’s strength is building relationships with regulators and institutional clients. He has steered strategic exits and regional reorganizations to reduce legal risk. His leadership set the stage for a governance-first push. The Teng–Yi He pairing brings together governance and product expertise.
What is Changing in Practice?
The new structure appears designed to split core responsibilities more clearly. Expect three shifts. First, product, brand, and ecosystem decisions will be led from the Yi He side. Second, compliance, regional operations, and regulator ties will remain Teng’s priority.
Third, governance layers will be strengthened to show markets and regulators that Binance is moving beyond a single-figure leadership model. The company has hinted at formal committees and clearer reporting lines. This should reduce decision bottlenecks and improve accountability across regions.
Strategic Aims behind the Move
Several strategic goals likely drove this restructuring. One is faster global expansion under closer regulatory oversight. Binance wants to grow institutional services while keeping regulators reassured. Another goal is to rebuild brand trust after high-profile legal issues tied to the CZ era. Yi He’s product credibility can help rebuild consumer confidence.
Finally, the structure positions Binance to scale operations without relying on a single charismatic founder. The decision also aligns with recent funding and partnership moves that require clearer corporate governance.
Short-term Priorities and Signals to Markets
In the short term, Binance will likely emphasize compliance milestones. Expect public updates on risk controls, audit practices, and regional licensing. The exchange may also accelerate institutional products and custody services to draw larger clients.
Markets may treat these steps as positive. Analysts will watch execution closely. Some investors will demand measurable proof, such as third-party audits or new regulatory approvals. The company’s communications around these items will shape user sentiment.
Industry and Competitor Reaction
Competitors are already circling. Exchanges such as Coinbase and OKX will use this moment to highlight their own compliance records. Regulators and institutional partners will pay sharper attention to public commitments and deliver results. Industry commentators see the move as a pragmatic attempt to balance product growth with regulatory needs.
However, skepticism remains until Binance proves the new model works in practice. Commentary across major outlets characterizes the shift as both necessary and risky.
What does this Means for Customers and Developers?
Customers can expect steadier product roadmaps. Trading tools, staking services, and regional support may become more consistent. Listing policies might tighten as Binance seeks to reduce regulatory friction. Developers in the Binance ecosystem may see clearer signals on funding priorities from Binance Labs.
However, some experimental or higher-risk tokens could face tougher due diligence. For active traders, improved governance could mean fewer surprise delistings or compliance-driven outages.
Risks and Open Questions
There are real risks. Leadership harmonization can be difficult. Power dynamics between two high-level leaders can slow decisions. Legal uncertainties still linger from past enforcement actions. The relationship between Zhao, Yi He, and Binance’s ownership structure is another open question. Transparency on who controls critical governance levers will be essential. Market confidence will hinge on rapid, visible progress.
Longer-Term Outlook
If the new structure works, Binance could emerge as a more institutional and compliance-oriented exchange. That could win big clients and support global growth. A successful transition might also set a sector precedent: large crypto firms moving to clearer, corporate governance models while retaining product agility.
Tools such as an AI stock research analysis tool may help investors assess the company’s financial signals and market impact in real time. The path forward depends on consistent execution and credible proof points.
Conclusion: Next Steps to Watch
Watch for four tangible signs of progress. One: public regulatory approvals or licensing wins. Two: third-party audits or compliance attestations. Three: new institutional product launches. Four: clear governance documents showing committee structures and reporting lines. If these appear in the coming months, the Teng–Yi He model will have made a strong start. If not, the company will face renewed scrutiny and pressure to refine its approach.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Binance appointed Yi He as co-CEO on December 3, 2025, to strengthen leadership. The company wanted better balance in product, growth, and global rules after major changes in recent years.
The dual leadership may bring clearer decisions, safer rules, and more stable services. Users could see stronger compliance, smoother updates, and better support as Binance focuses on long-term trust.
Both leaders may focus on stronger oversight, global expansion, and better product quality. Binance could improve controls, follow regulations more closely, and release updates that support steady growth.
Disclaimer
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
