Inside Binance: Why CZ and Yi He Went By “Homer” and “Marge” at Work

Long before the public knew about it, Binance’s two founders had a private joke running through the company’s internal communications. Changpeng “CZ” Zhao and his longtime partner Yi He reportedly went by Homer and Marge, names lifted straight from The Simpsons, whenever they joined internal meetings or group chats across the exchange and its many affiliated businesses.

The pair’s history goes back further than Binance itself. They first crossed paths at OKCoin, the platform now known as OKX, back in 2014, and have been linked both professionally and romantically ever since. Three years later, they launched Binance together, building it into the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.

Not Just a Nickname, But a Signal of Influence

Sources close to the matter say the cartoon aliases weren’t purely for fun. They also reflected how deeply involved both founders were across every part of the Binance network, from BNB Chain discussions to smaller units like CoinMarketCap.

Even the color choice made sense internally, since Simpsons characters are famously yellow, matching Binance’s own brand color scheme. Yi He, who now shares CEO duties with Richard Teng, is said to still answer to Marge in some settings today.

A Founder’s Rocky Legal Chapter

CZ’s own story took a dramatic turn in late 2023 when he stepped down as chief executive following US legal action tied to banking compliance laws. He later pleaded guilty, spent four months in prison, and was ultimately pardoned by the sitting US president in late 2025. Despite the legal detour, he remains one of the wealthiest people on the planet.

Meanwhile, Yi He has quietly expanded her own role, now overseeing a venture firm connected to Zhao that backs projects in blockchain, artificial intelligence, and biotech.