Current Role | Co-Founder of Binance | Former Chief Marketing Officer |
Previous Position | Anchor at China Travel TV | Co-Founder of OKCoin |
Key Recognition | Top 10 Women in Crypto 2024 | Forbes Asia’s Power Businesswomen List |
Background and Early Foundations
He Yi’s journey is one of bold pivots and entrepreneurial instinct. Born in China, she graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the Communication University of China. She initially pursued a career as a television anchor before becoming fascinated by the world of cryptocurrencies.
Leaving behind a stable media career, He Yi transitioned into tech entrepreneurship, joining OKCoin and later co-founding Binance in 2017 with Changpeng Zhao (CZ).
Today, the He Yi crypto entrepreneurship story stands as a rare example of a woman co-founding and scaling one of the world’s most influential financial ecosystems.
Career Milestones and Impact
Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
2013 | Joined OKCoin as Co-Founder and Head of Branding |
2017 | Co-Founded Binance with Changpeng Zhao |
2020 | Led Binance’s global marketing, growing it into the world’s largest crypto exchange |
2023 | Transitioned into strategic leadership roles post-CZ resignation |
- Exchange Ranking: Binance consistently ranks #1 in global crypto trading volumes
- User Base: Over 160 million registered users worldwide (as of April 2025)
- Key Achievements: Expanded Binance into 100+ countries despite regulatory headwinds
Leadership Style and Influence
He Yi leads with vision, tenacity, and deep market understanding:
- Focuses on scaling brand trust in a volatile and controversial industry
- Emphasizes operational agility — adapting Binance’s models across regulatory environments
- Champions diversity in tech — advocating for more female representation in blockchain leadership
Her behind-the-scenes work — from marketing to operations to international expansion — has been crucial in Binance’s dominance.
Legacy and Future Focus
He Yi’s legacy is already cemented as one of the few women pioneers in the male-dominated crypto space.
Her future priorities include:
- Building educational platforms to demystify blockchain technology
- Investing in Web3 projects focusing on real-world asset tokenization
- Supporting regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with consumer protection
She is redefining what sustainable leadership in decentralized finance can look like.
