Alex Odagiu, a partner at YZi Labs, will take on the role of interim president while a search for a new CEO is conducted. Additionally, Ella Zhang, the head of YZi Labs, and Matthew Roszak have been appointed as directors of CEA.
By Jamie Crawley, AI Boost|Edited by Oliver Knight Jun 24, 2026, 10:47 a.m. 2 min readMake preferred on ShareShare this articleCopy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailMake preferred on Ella Zhang, head of YZi Labs, at Consensus Hong Kong 2026 (CoinDesk)SummaryShow- YZi Labs has reached a cooperation agreement with CEA Industries, a BNB treasury company, after a campaign aimed at reforming its leadership and governance.
- Alex Odagiu will act as interim president while a search for a new CEO is underway; Ella Zhang and Matthew Roszak have been named directors of CEA.
- According to a source close to the settlement, YZi dismissed claims that the agreement indicates a takeover, framing it instead as a governance reset to enhance shareholder value.
CEA Industries (BNC), affiliated with BNB's treasury, is undergoing a significant leadership change following a cooperation agreement with YZi Labs, a company linked to Binance.
The investment firm, previously known as Binance Labs, supported CEA's transformation into a BNB-centric digital asset treasury in July 2025, investing approximately $100 million. However, disputes regarding board oversight and execution led to a situation resembling an activist shareholder campaign.
This settlement will facilitate a leadership transition at CEA, with the current CEO expected to resign. Alex Odagiu from YZi will temporarily fill the presidential role while a new CEO is sought.
Ella Zhang, head of YZi Labs, along with blockchain investor Matthew Roszak, has also been appointed as directors at CEA.
The announcement was made after the market closed on Tuesday, with BNC's stock rising 8.35% to $2.27. In pre-market trading on Wednesday, shares surged nearly 20% more to $2.72.
YZi has denied any insinuations that the settlement represents a takeover, with a source close to the matter asserting it is a governance reset aimed at unlocking shareholder value. The company also clarified that Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, the founder of Binance, was not involved in the process.
Initially rebranded from the venture division of Binance in 2024, the firm took a more active role in venture projects following Zhao's release from prison that year. YZi Labs is often viewed as Zhao's family office, a term for an investment vehicle managing family wealth. However, YZi contends that its structure is distinct, as it does not engage in estate planning, tax structuring, or similar activities.
YZi's aim is to establish CEA as a premier BNB treasury vehicle, akin to Strategy's (MSTR) position within the bitcoin markets. The firm argues that CEA's shares are undervalued compared to its underlying BNB assets and believes governance reforms and a clearer operational strategy can help close this gap.
This development occurs as digital asset treasury firms are perceived by some investors to be entering a new phase. While early treasury firms primarily focused on gathering crypto assets, newer models are increasingly aiming to generate revenue through ecosystem participation and infrastructure-related businesses connected to those assets.
Digital Asset TreasuryAI Disclaimer: Portions of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.Latest Crypto News- 1Cboe revives S&P 500 binary options, chasing a market popularized by Polymarket, Kalshi21 minutes ago
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CEX Volumes Drop to Lowest Since September 2024 as RWA Perps Hit Record High
CEX Volumes Drop to Lowest Since September 2024 as RWA Perps Hit Record High
In May, combined exchange volumes fell 3.45% to $4.41T; the lowest since September 2024. RWA perpetual futures volumes rose 10.4% against the trend, hitting a new all-time high.
By CoinDesk ResearchJun 15, 2026In May, combined exchange volumes fell 3.45% to $4.41T; the lowest since September 2024. RWA perpetual futures volumes rose 10.4% against the trend, hitting a new all-time high.
Why it matters:
In May, combined exchange volumes fell 3.45% to $4.41T; the lowest since September 2024. RWA perpetual futures volumes rose 10.4% against the trend, hitting a new all-time high.
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