On February 24, 2025 Vana hired Changpeng Zhao known as CZ to become an AI blockchain startup advisor. After rebranding from Binance Labs to YZi Labs, the venture capital company revealed its investment plans. Vana posted on X.
“We’re thrilled to announce YZi Labs’ strategic investment in Vana and to welcome CZ as an advisor as we advance the Data Layer for AI alongside our expanding DataDAO ecosystem.”
Individuals seeking deals around AI glean useful information as YZi Labs enters the Vana investment ground after their company makeover. With CZ advising Vana the firm expects him to guide this Layer 1 blockchain towards success in AI data and blockchain connection technology.
Since completing his four-month US prison sentence, CZ has come back into the crypto sector as he returns to work. The company paid $4.3 billion to resolve his legal issues making him leave the CEO role in November 2023.
CZ Expands AI and Blockchain Investments with Vana
Despite his successful U.S. Department of Justice plea deal he cannot return as Binance CEO but continues participating in the crypto field. He directs resources into teaching people about cryptocurrencies by establishing Giggle Academy and performs strategic investments. He joins Vana because he invests deeply into artificial intelligence and blockchain technology and wants to study biotechnology further.
CZ has made YZi Labs work harder on AI and blockchain development under his direction. After giving $16 million of its Sign token platform investment to Vana the company intends to create new standards for AI data handling.
Vana functions as an accessible framework that gives power to data makers who can control their information assets while using blockchain rewards. This system develops a fresh way to direct AI economic development through datasets that give data owners full control.
Andy Chang from YZi Labs predicts they can discover new ways to succeed in the changing digital marketplace through AI and blockchain cooperation. By joining Vana CZ will help develop better connections between the crypto and AI industries that push towards merging one technology with another. He stated:
“Data sovereignty is becoming a critical issue as AI advances, and Vana is pioneering a model where individuals retain control over their data while enabling groundbreaking AI research. We’re excited to support their mission to redefine how data is accessed, shared, and leveraged in the AI economy.”
