Key Takeaways
- Jean-Louis Van Der Velde is an experienced technologist and entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Bitfinex, and former CEO of Tether.
- Jean-Louis has been active in the Asian tech industry since 1998, co-founding and leading several IT companies.
- Jean-Louis helped start Bitfinex in 2013, leading its growth into a top digital asset exchange.
Who Is Jean-Louis Van Der Velde?
Jean-Louis Van Der Velde is an experienced technologist and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Bitfinex and the former CEO of Tether. Jean-Louis moved from the Netherlands to Taiwan in 1985 to study at National Taiwan University, graduating in 1988.
Since then, he has lived in Asia, working in the high-tech industry before moving into finance and fintech. He speaks five languages and has 30 years of experience in these fields.
Early Career and IT Ventures
Jean-Louis has been a key figure in the Asian tech industry since 1998, co-founding and leading several IT companies. His work includes hardware design, software development, video streaming, IPTV, digital TV, and digital marketing. He has also held senior roles in IT, distribution, and manufacturing, including executive director in a Chinese automotive group and a senior role in a Hong Kong venture capital firm.
Academic Involvement at NTUST
Jean-Louis teaches at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and is focused on helping students grow academically. He educates students about technology and finance, using his experience to guide future leaders in the tech field.
Guest Lecturer
Jean-Louis also gives guest lectures at National Taiwan University. In these lectures, he shares valuable knowledge about new technologies, such as blockchain, and explains their challenges. He focuses on how these technologies shape industries and the rules to properly manage them in today’s tech world.
Co-Founding Bitfinex
Jean-Louis helped start Bitfinex in 2013, one of the biggest and most well-known digital asset exchanges worldwide. As CEO, he has led the company’s plans and growth, helping it become a top player in the industry. His leadership has been key to making Bitfinex a trusted platform for digital asset trading.
Security and Regulation Efforts
Jean-Louis played a key role in creating Bitfinex’s in-house Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) systems. These tools ensure the platform follows changing rules and stays secure. Jean-Louis also built strong connections with banks, regulators, and law enforcement to keep Bitfinex compliant and known as a trustworthy name in the digital asset industry.
Leadership At Tether
Jean-Louis was the CEO of Tether, a well-known stablecoin based on blockchain. During his time in charge, Tether became an essential part of the digital asset market, backed by U.S. dollar reserves. He managed the company’s strategy, operations, finances, and legal issues, ensuring Tether remained a stable and trusted digital currency in the crypto industry.
Transition and Advisory Role at Tether
In October 2023, Jean-Louis stepped down as CEO of Tether and moved into an advisory role. This change allowed him to focus on the broader industry while offering valuable insights. Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s Chief Technology Officer, became CEO and continued the company’s growth. Tether remains owned by iFinex, the Hong Kong-based company that manages Bitfinex. Under Jean-Louis’s leadership, Tether and Bitfinex became key players in the digital asset world.
Deposits Open for $BXN on Bitfinex
Bitfinex has opened deposits for $BXN, BlackFort’s primary token. BlackFort is a Layer 1 blockchain that focuses on improving scalability and efficiency using smart chain technology. The $BXN token is important for accessing BlackFort’s features and services, helping to grow the platform and support its development in the digital asset space.
Vision for the Future of Fintech
Jean-Louis sees a future where fintech and blockchain technologies are a bigger part of global financial systems. His work with Bitfinex and Tether is just the start of a wider change in how value is exchanged and stored.
As traditional financial institutions start to investigate blockchain and cryptocurrencies, Jean-Louis thinks decentralized finance will continue growing, offering new opportunities for both people and businesses. He hopes for a future where fintech solutions are open, clear, and available to everyone, from regular consumers to big investors.
Final Thoughts
Jean-Louis Van Der Velde’s career shows his skill and leadership in both technology and finance. From his early work in the Asian tech industry to co-founding Bitfinex and leading Tether, he has been key in shaping the digital asset space. His focus on innovation, security, and following rules helped make Bitfinex a trusted platform.
Now in an advisory role at Tether, Jean-Louis continues to influence the future of fintech. He believes that blockchain and decentralized finance will become more important in global finance. His goal is to make fintech solutions easy and clear for everyone.
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