Yi He (Binance) - the first from the crypto sphere in the Fortune Most Powerful Women 2026 ranking
🏆 Yi He (Binance) first in Fortune history: crypto industry in the mainstream of global business
Co-founder and co-CEO Binance Yi He entered the ranking Fortune Most Powerful Women in Business 2026, becoming the first representative of the crypto industry in the 29-year history of the list. This is not just a personal achievement, it is a symbolic milestone, signaling the full integration of digital assets into the architecture of the global economy.
🔑 Why this is important for the market?
The inclusion of Yi He in the prestigious ranking of traditional business establishment reflects several fundamental shifts:
✅ Legitimization of the cryptosphere: the crypto industry is no longer perceived as a marginal segment - its leaders are recognized on par with the heads of transnational corporations;
✅ Gender breakthrough: in an industry historically dominated by men, Yi He's success sets a new benchmark for diversity in technological leadership;
✅ Strategic maturity: focus on financial inclusion and global accessibility of tools aligns with UN sustainable development goals and mainstream corporate values.
✅ Gender breakthrough: in an industry historically dominated by men, Yi He's success sets a new benchmark for diversity in technological leadership;
✅ Strategic maturity: focus on financial inclusion and global accessibility of tools aligns with UN sustainable development goals and mainstream corporate values.
I see my role not only in managing the business, but also in expanding access to financial instruments for those left out by the traditional system, comments Yi He.
📈 Context: from startup to global leader
Yi He founded Binance with Changpeng Zhao in 2017. In less than a decade, the platform has become the world's largest crypto exchange by trading volume. At the end of 2025 she took the position of co-CEO with Richard Teng, marking a transition to a more balanced management model during a period of regulatory transformation.
🌍 Strategic implications
Recognition at the Fortune level creates several imperatives:
✅ For crypto projects: emphasis on compliance, transparency and social mission becomes a competitive advantage;
✅ For regulators: dialogue with the industry should take into account its contribution to financial inclusion and technological innovation;
✅ For investors: companies with strong leadership and clear value position demonstrate greater resilience in the long term.
✅ For regulators: dialogue with the industry should take into account its contribution to financial inclusion and technological innovation;
✅ For investors: companies with strong leadership and clear value position demonstrate greater resilience in the long term.