Yi He Achieves Historic Recognition in Fortune's Most Powerful Women List

Yi He Becomes the First Crypto Executive on Fortune's Most Powerful Women List

In a groundbreaking moment for the cryptocurrency landscape, Yi He, the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Binance, has been recognized in Fortune's 2026 list of the Most Powerful Women in Business. This accolade places Yi as the first ever crypto-native executive to enter this esteemed ranking, highlighting her influential role in an industry that is reshaping finance and technology on a global scale.

The Most Powerful Women list, known for spotlighting leaders from established multinational corporations, reveals the growing influence of cryptocurrency and acknowledges the pivotal position that Binance holds in the financial ecosystem. Yi's strong presence on this list symbolizes a significant shift for the digital asset industry, which has recently garnered greater acceptance and integration into mainstream economics.

Having co-founded Binance in 2017, Yi has been instrumental in crafting the company's vision and culture, emphasizing a user-centered approach that has resonated throughout the crypto community. In December 2025, Yi was appointed as Co-CEO alongside Richard Teng, creating a dual-leadership model that combines her product innovation skills with Teng's strong regulatory oversight. Together, they are poised to guide Binance toward the next chapter of its expansion.

Expressing her thoughts on this prestigious distinction, Yi said, "Being named to Fortune's Most Powerful Women list feels meaningful — not just for me, but for crypto as a whole. A few years ago, a founder from this industry showing up on a list like this would have been unusual. Today, it reflects how far we've come from the edge of finance toward the center of how the world actually works."

Yi He’s journey is not a typical one; she grew up in a rural village in Sichuan, China, where she experienced the hardships of life without basic amenities. At just sixteen, she worked in a supermarket before transitioning to a career as a television host. Ultimately, Yi dove into the tech industry and diligently taught herself English before co-founding Binance. Within the cryptocurrency world, she is fondly known as Binance's 'chief customer service officer,' a testament to her commitment to a user-first ethos that she instilled from the beginning.

The scale of Binance, which Yi has helped elevate, is monumental. The exchange now services over 310 million registered users worldwide, solidifying its place as the foremost blockchain ecosystem and digital asset infrastructure provider. In 2025 alone, Binance managed a staggering $34 trillion in trading volume, leading to a cumulative volume of $145 trillion by the year's end. Moreover, the company is actively diversifying its offerings beyond cryptocurrency, aligning with its vision of creating a comprehensive financial super app.

Yi stresses the importance of this recognition, noting, "I'm honored by this recognition, and it only deepens my commitment to the 310 million people who place their trust in Binance every day. Finance has never been equally kind to everyone, and that trust is something we have to earn every day. I have never thought of my role as simply running a company. I think about how we serve the people the old system left behind — many of them women, many of them in places the world doesn't always look at first."

Yi is driven by the desire to reach not just the 310 million users currently benefiting from Binance but an additional 3 billion people yet outside the formal financial system. Her vision describes a future where money flows as effortlessly as information, allowing everyone, including software and AI agents, to participate in an open economy without needing permission.

Currently, Yi's presence on Fortune's list is indicative of a broader evolution within international business. The perspective on crypto is shifting as it is increasingly viewed as a major contributor to finance and technology rather than merely an emerging sector. Yi’s inclusion also seeks to broaden the narrative around leadership, empowering women and those from diverse backgrounds.

Alyson Shontell, the Editor in Chief of Fortune, acknowledged this transformative influence, stating, “This iconic list of powerful women includes almost half from outside of the U.S., reminding us that the impact of women leadership is being seen globally.” The recognition of these women, including Yi He, serves as a testament to their roles in navigating the complexities of business during uncertain times while simultaneously harnessing the potential for a promising future.

As we celebrate Yi He's remarkable achievements, it is clear that her journey reflects not only individual success but heralds a potential paradigm shift in the landscape of global finance, pushing forward the narrative of inclusion and innovation in the evolving digital economy.