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From stablecoins to biotechnology: The rationale behind YZi Labs’ investment in unproven ventures.
Ella Zhang of YZi Labs states that her company invests in entrepreneurs creating what has yet to be realized, guided by foundational principles and a long-term belief in the realms of AI, biotech, and Web3.
Ella Zhang, head of YZi Labs, at Consensus Hong Kong 2026 (CoinDesk)
What to know:
- YZi Labs supports initiatives in AI, biotech, and Web3, based on a thesis of backing founders who are creating what does not yet exist.
- Genuine user demand and product-market alignment take precedence over following trends.
- Zhang identifies stablecoins as the first significant mainstream application of crypto, with additional infrastructure development still required.
In a landscape where cryptocurrency cycles fluctuate while AI appears inevitable and biotech evolves over the long term, YZi Labs is strategically positioning itself across various technological domains.
The central thesis is to “concentrate on the possibilities that have yet to materialize, and to focus on the individuals who are envisioning and realizing them,” stated YZi Labs’ head Ella Zhang at Consensus Hong Kong 2026 on Thursday.
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YZi, previously known as Binance Labs, invests in AI, biotech, and Web3, managing varying timelines, especially as crypto “feels quite cyclical at the moment,” while AI adoption is on the rise, Zhang noted.
“Prioritize user demand. Is there authentic demand or is it merely perceived?” she remarked. Rather than pursuing narratives, the firm challenges founders on fundamental product aspects: what issues are being addressed, how the distribution operates, and whether there are early indicators that the issue is genuinely significant.
This philosophy also influences capital allocation. “We’re not required to allocate all the capital we possess,” Zhang stated, highlighting that investments are made based on conviction, not vice versa. YZi aims to be an initial supporter while continuing to assist companies through multiple funding rounds, providing mentorship and strategic resources alongside financial backing.
Concerning infrastructure, Zhang pointed to the BNB Chain’s scale as an organic distribution framework, with “thousands of protocols” and “hundreds of millions of users” creating a conducive ecosystem for new applications. Simultaneously, YZi is “very, very receptive to founders facing setbacks and encourages them to return,” she mentioned, framing failure as a component of long-term founder development.
Regarding product trends, Zhang described stablecoins as the first genuine mass-market application beyond trading. “Stablecoins represent a very viable application for crypto to achieve mass adoption,” she stated, referencing improving compliance frameworks globally. Nevertheless, she acknowledges that further advancements in custody, exchange infrastructure, and on-chain FX are necessary before stablecoins reach their full potential.
