tl;dr
YZi Labs launches a $1 billion fund to accelerate innovation on BNB Chain, merging builder programs and leveraging surging ecosystem activity as BNB breaks records.
**YZi Labs Launches $1 Billion Fund to Fuel Innovation on BNB Chain**
*Merger of Builder Programs and Surging BNB Chain Activity Signal Growing Ecosystem Momentum*
YZi Labs, the venture office of Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (commonly known as CZ), has unveiled a $1 billion fund aimed at supporting long-term innovators within the BNB ecosystem. Formerly known as Binance Labs, the firm is doubling down on its commitment to fostering development on BNB Chain, with a focus on emerging projects in trading, real-world assets, artificial intelligence, decentralized science (DeSCI), and decentralized finance (DeFi).
“The $1B fund size proves YZi Labs’ commitment to support new and emerging projects building on BNB Chain,” a representative for the firm stated. The initiative is designed to welcome builders from all backgrounds, even those without prior experience on BNB Chain. Selected teams will gain access to the BNB Chain core team, which will provide dedicated technical support, resources, and assistance with onboarding, deployment, and integration.
In tandem with the fund, YZi Labs is merging its builder EASY residency program with Most Valuable Builder, BNB Chain’s flagship incubator program. Starting in October, participating builders will receive direct support from both YZi Labs and BNB Chain, along with up to $500,000 in funding. Applications for the program are open on a rolling basis, emphasizing the firm’s focus on continuous innovation.
The announcement comes amid a surge in activity on BNB Chain, which saw over 26 million transactions on Tuesday—the highest volume since December 2023, according to BSCScan data. Meme coins, in particular, experienced explosive growth, with multiple tokens jumping over 1,000% on the day, driven by hype around Zhao and the broader BNB ecosystem.
This momentum has translated into significant gains for BNB, the native token of BNB Chain. BNB recently hit an all-time high, surpassing Tether’s stablecoin USDT to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. Over the past week, BNB surged nearly 28%, outpacing Bitcoin (5.1%) and Ethereum (4.0%). As of the latest data, BNB is trading at $1,299, just 2.5% below its all-time high of $1,330.
The $1 billion fund and expanded builder programs underscore YZi Labs’ strategic vision to solidify BNB Chain as a hub for cutting-edge innovation. By combining financial backing, technical expertise, and community-driven initiatives, the firm aims to accelerate the development of next-generation applications while capitalizing on the ecosystem’s rising popularity.
As BNB Chain continues to attract developers and investors alike, the collaboration between YZi Labs and BNB Chain’s incubators could further cement its position as a leading force in the Web3 landscape. With the market showing strong signs of growth and adoption, the timing of these initiatives appears poised to unlock new opportunities for builders and users alike.