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Johnny Lyu

VP, Head of Global Business Development, KuCoin Exchange
Victoria,Seychelles
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Johnny Lyu's Overview

Total Experience7 years
CompanyKuCoin Exchange
CountrySeychelles

Johnny Lyu is the co-founder and CEO of KuCoin, one of the world's leading cryptocurrency exchanges. With a background in the tech, e-commerce, and luxury industries, Lyu entered the crypto space in 2017, bringing a strong focus on user experience and global market strategy. He was appointed CEO in March 2020 and has since been the driving force behind KuCoin's global expansion and its 'People's Exchange' philosophy. Lyu is responsible for steering the company's long-term vision, which includes expanding into Web3, DeFi, and the Metaverse, while ensuring the platform remains secure, innovative, and accessible to its millions of users worldwide.

Professional Summary

Johnny Lyu's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:

KuCoin Exchange - Chief Executive Officer (2020 to Present)
KuCoin - VP, Head of Strategy and Investment (2017 to 2019)

Notable Achievements

Co-founding and Scaling a Top-Tier Crypto Exchange

Co-founded KuCoin in 2017 and was instrumental in its growth into a top-tier global exchange. Under his leadership as CEO, the platform has expanded to serve over 30 million users in more than 200 countries, frequently ranking in the top 5 exchanges by trading volume.

Successfully Navigating a Major Security Incident

After a major security breach in 2020, Lyu led the recovery efforts with exceptional transparency. His team successfully recovered the vast majority of assets and fully compensated all affected users, a move that reinforced industry-wide trust in the platform.

Securing a $10 Billion Valuation

Spearheaded a successful $150 million pre-Series B funding round in May 2022. This strategic investment, led by Jump Crypto, brought KuCoin's valuation to $10 billion, solidifying its status as a decacorn and fueling its expansion into Web3 technologies.

Championing the 'People's Exchange' Philosophy

Cultivated KuCoin's identity as the 'People's Exchange' by prioritizing the listing of promising, lesser-known crypto gems. This strategy has provided early access to innovative projects for retail investors and has been a key differentiator and driver of user acquisition for the exchange.

Educational Background

E-commerce

Chengdu Neusoft University - Year 2004

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Notable news
Hiring actively
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Corporate Finance

Company Overview

KuCoin Exchange
Total employees1200
HeadquartersVictoria
Founded2017

KuCoin is a global cryptocurrency exchange, often referred to as 'The People's Exchange,' known for its user-friendly interface and extensive selection of digital assets. It offers a wide array of services including spot trading, margin trading, futures trading, staking, lending, and a built-in trading bot. The platform is particularly popular among crypto enthusiasts for listing a vast number of new and emerging altcoins, providing opportunities to invest in projects at an early stage.

KuCoin Exchange Funding Information
$180M - Total Funding Raised
$10M - Most recent funding amount
5 - Number of funding rounds
Jan 19, 2023 - Latest funding round
Lead Investors:
Jump Crypto
Circle Ventures
IDG Capital
Matrix Partners
Susquehanna International Group (SIG)
Neo Global Capital

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