BitMEX Hires Former HK Markets Regulator as COO

BitMEX, one of the world’s leading bitcoin trading platforms, has hired former financial markets regulator Angelina Kwan as the company’s new chief operating officer (COO). Kwan will oversee and drive the company’s growth, and will be based in Hong Kong, the company said on Tuesday.

Kwan previously served as the managing director and head of regulatory compliance for Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), the operator of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, the Hong Kong Futures Exchange Limited, and several clearing houses in Hong Kong.

Speaking to the South China Morning Post, Kwan said she hopes her previous experience will help in establishing “a constructive dialogue with the various regulatory authorities around the world over the development of regulations in the cryptocurrency industry” that “protect investors while at the same time help the industry to further develop.”

Kwan, a certified public accountant, brings more than 24 years of experience in leadership roles in financial firms and institutions across Asia Pacific and the US. She spent eight years at the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (SFC), and worked at numerous global financial services firms in fields such as retail securities trading and asset management.

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Commenting on her new position at BitMEX, Kwan said:

“My most memorable accomplishments — from successfully restructuring and relisting a bankrupt financial services company, spearheading the establishment of new operations or companies, to serving on a number of boards and committees — have been joining organizations that are at the cusp of making a major breakthrough, so it’s with a sense of great excitement that I take on the challenge of driving BitMEX to new market heights.”

Founded in 2014, BitMEX is one of the world’s most advanced bitcoin derivatives platform. BitMEX offers commercial hedgers, bitcoin miners, and professional investors and traders the ability to exchange bitcoin risk.

The platform, owned and operated by HDR Global Trading Limited, a Seychelles incorporated company, recently broke the industry record of more than 1 million bitcoin traded over a 24-hour period.

“Welcoming Angelina — experienced in traditional finance and regulation — to the BitMEX team is a significant milestone not just for our company, but for the cryptocurrency industry as a whole,” said Arthur Hayes, CEO and co-founder of BitMEX.

He added that Kwan’s decision to join BitMEX was “a signal that the global markets are shifting focus to the rapidly-expanding domain of crypto-coins.”

“Angelina’s vast experience in regulation, trading platforms, business development, restructuring, and investor and stakeholder relations will be pivotal as we continue the push towards mainstream cryptocurrency adoption and broaden our community,” he concluded.