YZiLabs Redefines Investment Strategy with AI, Biotech, and Visionary Ecosystems

YZiLabs, previously recognized as Binance Labs, is pioneering a transformative investment shift by broadening its portfolio to include artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology (biotech). This strategic pivot moves beyond its foundational focus on Web3, aligning the organization with the emerging frontiers of innovation and societal impact.

Operating with over $10 billion in long-term assets, YZiLabs has charted a unique course defined by an "impact-first" investment philosophy. CEO Ella Zhang emphasized this during a recent interview at KBW2025, stating, “We’re committed to supporting founders shaping the future across Web3, AI, and biotech.” Zhang's insights reveal YZiLabs’ strategic rebranding, its investment ethos, and its roadmap for impactful breakthroughs.

Transition from Binance Labs to YZiLabs: Expanding Horizons

Initially launched as Binance Labs, the rebranding to YZiLabs marks a deliberate move to reflect its expanded vision. While blockchain remains integral to transforming digital asset ownership and decentralized collaboration, YZiLabs recognizes the seismic possibilities AI offers, such as redefining labor dynamics and elevating operational efficiency across industries.

“Blockchain is transformational, but AI represents a revolutionary force by fundamentally reshaping human work,” Zhang explained. The addition of biotech solidifies the company’s commitment to investing in sectors poised to redefine societal health and longevity through innovations such as stem cell research. This holistic strategy leverages the interplay of Web3, AI, and biotech as the building blocks of future ecosystems.

Deep Dive into AI and Biotech

YZiLabs’ AI investments target a comprehensive range of opportunities, spanning foundational infrastructure, advanced developer tools, robotics, and vertical AI solutions. One compelling vision described by Zhang involves robotic systems that perform everyday functions through cryptocurrency wallets, merging blockchain and AI into practical applications.

In biotech, YZiLabs leans into groundbreaking research like stem cell-based organ development. These endeavors exemplify the firm's patient and forward-thinking posture, prioritizing projects with enduring societal benefits over immediate market visibility. "Biotech holds immense long-term potential, and we’re aligned with founders pursuing solutions to complex human challenges," Zhang added.

Thoughtful, Long-Term Investment Philosophy

YZiLabs’ differentiated investment approach prioritizes diligence and patience. Unlike traditional venture capital that often chases hype, YZiLabs identifies and nurtures underappreciated innovators building transformative solutions.

Illustrating this philosophy is a significant bet on research by an Israeli professor developing human organs from stem cells—an endeavor that, though less visible today, is positioned for meaningful impact in the years ahead. This careful selection process reflects YZiLabs’ commitment to “impact-first” principles that prioritize societal transformation over short-term returns.

Standing Apart from Traditional Venture Capital

YZiLabs is distinct in its operations, eschewing external limited partners (LPs) and operating exclusively via internal funding from Binance founder, Changpeng Zhao (CZ). This model enables the organization to maintain a long-term perspective, free from the constraints of short-term profitability pressures.

“We firmly believe in prioritizing societal impact,” Zhang stated. “When a product solves critical problems and fosters widespread trust, profitability naturally follows.” Additionally, YZiLabs is deeply founder-focused, seeking entrepreneurs driven by intrinsic motivation and a compelling commitment to meaningful outcomes.

Zhang’s extensive experience as a serial entrepreneur in the AI field further underscores this philosophy. “Startups are journeys fraught with challenges, and it’s the authentic motivation of founders that often determines success,” she explained.

The Genius Act and Real-World Asset Tokenization

The introduction of the Genius Act in the United States on July 18, 2025, has been transformative for stablecoin adoption and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. YZiLabs recognizes stablecoins as a vital component of the digital economy, enabling borderless payments and tokenized, 24/7 tradable assets.

"Stablecoins are a form of RWAs with foundational infrastructure already in place," Zhang noted. Integrated within both centralized exchanges (CEX) and decentralized exchanges (DEX), stablecoins—combined with privacy-centric institutional payment solutions—are unlocking novel opportunities for the broader ecosystem.

The Growing Relevance of BNB DAT

Another emerging opportunity lies in the Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) model, with YZiLabs spearheading the adoption of BNB DAT. This initiative builds on MicroStrategy’s success with Bitcoin as a treasury reserve, which positioned the company for a projected $100 billion market capitalization by the end of 2024.

The BNB DAT model offers distinct advantages, such as quarterly token burns and an annual percentage yield (APY) of 15-20%, which enhance BNB's deflationary economy. Already, more than 15 teams are engaging with the BNB DAT framework to drive widespread adoption and long-term value creation.

South Korea: A Strategic Market for Innovation

YZiLabs sees South Korea as a fertile testing ground for innovative financial models like BNB DAT due to its forward-thinking investor culture. Zhang, who first visited South Korea seven years ago, described the country’s environment as vibrant and particularly receptive to experimentation.

To capitalize on this dynamic landscape, YZiLabs is fostering close partnerships with South Korean investors, paving the way for mutual growth and the successful implementation of cutting-edge financial strategies.

The Dumbbell Strategy: Balancing Early and Late-Stage Support

YZiLabs employs a “dumbbell strategy” to balance investments between early-stage incubation and late-stage expansion. Early-stage startups benefit from comprehensive support, including funding, product development, and a robust network of collaborators.

For growth-stage companies, YZiLabs strategically reinvests to scale promising ventures that are already demonstrating traction. “Several projects we incubated have evolved into billion-dollar ecosystems,” Zhang shared. Follow-on investments in these ventures aim to accelerate USD adoption and other transformative outcomes.

Advice to Investors: Patience Drives Meaningful Outcomes

For investors, Zhang’s advice is unequivocal: exercise patience and adopt a long-term perspective. She cautioned against rushing into deals without fully understanding the intrinsic motivations behind a project. Deep alignment with a venture’s foundational goals ensures purposeful and sustainable outcomes.

Founded in 2018 as Binance Labs and rebranded to YZiLabs in 2025, the firm remains steadfast in its mission to collaborate with visionary founders. Looking ahead, YZiLabs is determined to catalyze transformative innovation at the intersection of Web3, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology, reshaping industries and society for decades to come.