Changpeng Zhao’s YZi Labs Expands Mandate From Web3 to AI and Biotech

The announcement described YZi Labs as “investing in all-stage ventures with strong fundamentals within Web3, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology,” underscoring an expansion beyond its earlier blockchain-only mandate. The firm confirmed that Web3 remains a central focus, while AI and biotech have been added as new pillars of its investment strategy.

Until recently, Binance Labs functioned as the venture capital arm of Binance, investing in many early‐stage Web3 projects and operating incubator programs. With its rebranding to YZi Labs, the firm has moved to establish greater independence from the Binance exchange, positioning itself as an innovation investor with global ambitions. The change comes alongside an expanded investment mandate that now includes artificial intelligence and biotechnology, in addition to Web3.

The decision to formally add AI and biotech to YZi Labs’ investment thesis carries several important implications. It indicates an acknowledgment that Web3 does not exist in isolation. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being paired with decentralized systems, from AI-driven smart contract auditing to machine learning models secured on blockchains. Similarly, biotech research often requires massive, secure data sets and transparent collaboration tools, areas where blockchain infrastructure can offer solutions. By positioning itself at the intersection of these fields, YZi Labs is seeking to invest in companies that bridge technological silos.

It can also be viewed as a risk management strategy. By diversifying beyond crypto, the firm reduces its exposure to the volatility that has characterized digital asset markets. While blockchain remains subject to regulatory shifts and market swings, AI and biotech each represent multi-trillion-dollar industries with different growth cycles and regulatory frameworks. The expansion therefore spreads risk across industries while opening doors to emerging areas of opportunity.

The change also creates new opportunities for founders who may not have previously looked to a crypto-native investor for backing. Entrepreneurs in biotech or AI fields who can articulate how their work intersects with decentralization or data integrity may now find YZi Labs to be a willing partner. The announcement represents not only an expansion of scope but an invitation to innovators outside traditional blockchain circles to collaborate on projects that combine security, transparency, and next-generation computing.

The rebranding of Binance Labs into YZi Labs is part of a wider trend of crypto-aligned investment firms diversifying into adjacent technologies. In the last several years, multiple funds have shifted toward multi-sector approaches, often citing the growing overlap between decentralized computing, artificial intelligence, and data-driven industries. For the blockchain industry, this signals maturation. Rather than remaining confined to token launches or exchange-centric projects, major investors are beginning to see blockchain as a layer of the broader digital innovation stack. The fact that a fund originally known for supporting blockchain startups is now explicitly targeting AI and biotech shows how the boundaries of Web3 are widening.

Despite the broader scope, Web3 remains a central focus for YZi Labs. Its public message confirmed that blockchain infrastructure, decentralized applications, and token-based platforms are still at the heart of its thesis. For Web3 entrepreneurs, the significance lies in the opportunity to plug into cross-sector innovation. A startup building blockchain-based identity verification might find synergies with biotech companies working on medical record security. Similarly, decentralized storage protocols could be relevant to AI developers needing trusted datasets. YZi Labs’ wider mandate creates an environment where such crossovers are not only possible but actively sought.

The rebrand also highlights how YZi Labs is positioning itself as a long-term player in sectors where transparency, fairness, and constructive development are critical. By focusing on technology and research that can support broader innovation, the firm is signaling that it intends to back projects with durable value rather than short-term speculation. Its emphasis on Web3, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology reflects a commitment to supporting industries that are not only high-growth but also capable of shaping the structure of global economies for decades to come.

The unveiling of YZi Labs marks both continuity and change. Continuity, because the firm continues to see Web3 as a core sector deserving of long-term investment. Change, because it is now framing itself as an innovation investor that straddles three powerful domains: blockchain, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. Whether this shift will allow YZi Labs to capture value in all three sectors remains to be seen. Biotech in particular carries long development cycles and unique regulatory hurdles that differ from the comparatively fast-moving world of blockchain startups. But for entrepreneurs seeking capital and mentorship at the intersections of these technologies, YZi Labs’ rebrand represents a signal that the lines between industries are blurring and that capital is following.