He Yi: The Journey from Grassroots Host to Co-Founder of Binance

In the development history of the blockchain industry, He Yi, an outstanding female leader, has profoundly influenced the transformation of the industry with her wisdom, courage, and vision. From a grassroots host to the co-founder of Binance, He Yi's story is not only a legend of personal struggle but also a microcosm of the blockchain industry's development. Here are the nine significant chapters of her career.

1. An Ordinary Beginning: Hope in a Common Family

Born on November 15, 1986, in an ordinary family in China, He Yi's family was not wealthy, but her parents' emphasis on education instilled in her a diligent and hardworking quality from a young age. Their encouragement and support made her realize that education and effort are the best paths to change one's life.

At school, He Yi not only excelled academically but also engaged in extracurricular activities, showcasing her exceptional communication and organizational skills. These early accumulations laid a solid foundation for her future success on stage and in the business field.

2. The First Glimpse of Opportunity: From Psychology to TV Hosting

During her university years, He Yi chose to major in psychology. Although this choice seemed unrelated to the hosting industry, it provided her with a unique perspective and abilities. The knowledge of psychology equipped her with interpersonal communication and emotional management skills, giving her an additional advantage in her career development.

In 2012, a friend who was a TV director suggested that she try hosting. With a mindset of giving it a shot, she attended the interview and stood out with her confidence and wit. During the interview, she cleverly responded: "I have a psychology background, which allows me to communicate better; I have learned makeup, which can save the team the cost of a makeup artist; I do not seek a high salary, just want the opportunity to showcase myself."
This humorous yet pragmatic answer allowed her to successfully join the travel channel as an outdoor host.

3. The Spotlight of Hosting: The Hard Work Behind the Screen

After becoming the outdoor host of the travel channel's "Beautiful Destinations" and "How Far You Go," He Yi's work was filled with challenges. She needed to immerse herself in natural environments and complete filming in the most authentic settings.

She traversed mountains and rivers, endured harsh weather, and even once recorded in Qinghai, where she lost contact with her team and had to cross desolate mountains alone. These experiences not only honed her resilience but also strengthened her determination to pursue her goals.

Despite gradually emerging in the hosting industry, He Yi did not stop learning and exploring. She enjoyed communicating with friends in the entrepreneurial circle, listening to their discussions about investments and projects, and gradually realized that what she truly wanted was to create something unique.

4. Restless: Transitioning from Hosting to the Internet Industry

In 2014, He Yi decided to leave the hosting industry and dive into the internet sector. She keenly observed that the internet was reshaping social and business structures, which would be a key area for her future career.

After entering the internet industry, He Yi started from the grassroots level, engaging in everything from marketing to user operations. This experience allowed her to quickly accumulate practical experience and grow into a core member of the team.

In this male-dominated field, He Yi gradually stood out with her sharp market insight and execution ability, accumulating skills in brand promotion and strategic planning. These experiences laid an important foundation for her later entry into the blockchain industry.

5. First Encounter with Blockchain: The Seed of Future Belief

In 2014, He Yi first encountered blockchain technology. The decentralized concept of this technology deeply attracted her. She keenly recognized that this technology could not only disrupt the traditional financial sector but also have a profound impact on social structures.

In April 2014, at a public event in the blockchain industry, He Yi first met Zhao Changpeng (CZ). CZ impressed everyone present with his profound insights and technical foresight regarding Bitcoin and blockchain. At that time, He Yi had already joined OKCoin in March 2014 as Vice President, responsible for brand promotion and market operations.

Moved by CZ's technical abilities and enthusiasm, He Yi recommended CZ to join OKCoin as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The two became perfect partners, jointly promoting OKCoin's significant position in the domestic exchange competition.

6. Conflict and Change: CZ Leaves OKCoin, He Yi's Choice

At the end of 2014, Zhao Changpeng chose to leave OKCoin (now OKX) due to disagreements with the management regarding operational models, platform transparency, and user rights. This departure stemmed not only from ideological conflicts but also reflected CZ's adherence to the principle of user supremacy. He believed that only a platform truly centered on users could develop sustainably.

Meanwhile, He Yi's professional collaboration with CZ also came to an end due to his departure. Although the two temporarily parted ways, their passion for the industry's future and shared vision remained unchanged. In 2015, He Yi also chose to leave OKCoin. She keenly realized that the development of the blockchain industry needed to focus more on technological innovation and user education, which was precisely the direction she hoped to delve into in the future.

Although their departures seemed to end a collaborative relationship, they laid the groundwork for the later establishment of Binance. This experience deepened CZ and He Yi's understanding of the industry's complexity and potential, prompting them to explore new opportunities and laying the foundation for their future collaboration.

7. The Launch of Binance: The Rise of a Global Cryptocurrency Trading Empire

In 2017, two years after leaving OKCoin, CZ, after conducting in-depth research on the blockchain industry, decided to create a global, user-centered cryptocurrency trading platform—Binance. With the intention of providing users with the best trading experience, he actively prepared for the establishment of the platform. At this time, he immediately contacted his former professional partner He Yi, inviting her to join the team.

As the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Binance, He Yi fully utilized her marketing talents, formulating a series of innovative strategies, including referral reward programs and AMA events, which not only quickly attracted global users but also successfully shaped Binance's international brand image. Meanwhile, CZ focused on the platform's technical development, ensuring users enjoyed a stable and efficient trading experience.

The collaboration between the two was like a perfect combination of technology and market. Within just six months, Binance became the largest cryptocurrency trading platform in the world by trading volume, thanks to its low fees, diverse cryptocurrency options, and excellent user experience, opening a new chapter in the cryptocurrency industry.

8. Facing Regulatory Challenges: Perseverance and Breakthroughs in the Storm

In 2018, the global cryptocurrency industry faced unprecedented regulatory pressure, with countries implementing stricter policies, posing significant challenges to the industry's development. As a leading global cryptocurrency trading platform, Binance was naturally at the forefront. In the face of the storm, CZ and He Yi chose to confront difficulties head-on, actively engaging in dialogue with regulatory authorities in various countries to explore a new path for Binance's compliance development.

With her excellent communication skills and deep understanding of the market, He Yi formulated a series of transparency strategies that not only effectively stabilized user confidence but also enhanced the platform's brand credibility globally. She conveyed Binance's determination to develop alongside the industry by organizing industry forums, popularizing blockchain knowledge, and promoting compliant operations.

During this period, CZ and He Yi worked together, not only allowing Binance to steadily progress amid turmoil but also pushing the entire cryptocurrency industry toward a more regulated and transparent direction. Binance not only withstood the test but also strengthened its global layout through regulatory pressure, further consolidating its industry leadership. This ability to persevere in crises and seek breakthroughs from challenges became an important cornerstone for Binance's continuous growth.

9. Building a Multidimensional Ecosystem and Future Outlook: Deep Integration of Technology and Society

Under He Yi's promotion, Binance gradually extended its reach into multiple fields, constructing a multidimensional ecosystem encompassing technology, education, and public welfare. By launching Binance Chain, Binance Smart Chain (BSC), Binance Academy, and the Binance Charity Foundation, Binance not only solidified its technological leadership but also injected continuous innovative vitality into the blockchain industry.

The launch of Binance Chain and BSC provided developers and project parties with the infrastructure for decentralized applications, further promoting the widespread application of blockchain technology. Binance Academy focuses on education, aiming to popularize blockchain knowledge and build a systematic learning platform for global users. Meanwhile, the Binance Charity Foundation uses blockchain technology to achieve transparency and efficiency in public welfare, allowing the social value of blockchain to be realized in the real world.

He Yi firmly believes that the significance of blockchain technology lies not only in transforming the financial sector but also in promoting social transparency and the development of inclusive finance. She views blockchain as a key tool for changing the world, committed to promoting the deep integration of technology and society, bringing more positive changes to global society.

Conclusion: He Yi's Fearless Journey

From an ordinary girl to the co-founder of Binance, He Yi's career is an extraordinary story of courage, wisdom, and perseverance. With vision and action, she has not only written a legend of personal struggle but also injected hope into the future of the blockchain industry. He Yi has shown the world that success is not determined by one's background but by the persistence of dreams, the seizing of opportunities, and the exploration of the future. This journey is her personal glory and a microcosm of the blockchain industry's development.