ICN.live Key Opinion | EXCLUSIVE Interview with Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget

ICN.live KEY OPINION, Exclusive Interview with Gracy Chen.

Gracy Chen is the CEO of Bitget, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 platform, ranked among the industry’s top three by trading volume. She is the only woman-CEO amongst the top 10 crypto exchanges. Since stepping into the CEO role from her previous position as Managing Director, in her time as the CEO, Gracy has led Bitget’s expansion from nearly 50 million to over 120 million users worldwide. With a background in tech investment and entrepreneurship, Gracy actively leads Bitget’s project listing strategy, supporting the growth of promising startups through her deep industry insight.

Beyond the Numbers

According to CoinGecko, the three largest cryptocurrency exchanges today are Binance, Bitget, and Bybit. Since your appointment as CEO in May 2024, what would you consider your most impactful business decision so far? And is your long-term vision to become the world’s largest exchange by numbers, or to create the most legendary impact in people’s lives?

Since stepping into the CEO role in May 2024, one of the most impactful decisions I’ve made was prioritizing user-centric innovation. From the launch of Bitget Onchain to our new AI-powered GetAgent, these tools show that our traders are at the forefront of our day-to-day operations. I’m especially excited for GetAgent as it’s such a powerful tool that turns conversations into actionable trading decisions.

These tools reflect a broader shift in our strategy, not just to grow volume, but to evolve with the ecosystem. As for long-term vision, metrics like trading volume and user growth, now over 120 million globally, are essential benchmarks. But what drives me is creating a lasting impact. I want Bitget to be remembered not just as one of the biggest exchanges, but as a platform that empowered people to take control of their financial future.

If we can lead millions toward financial literacy and inclusion, then the numbers will follow, and we’ll have done something truly meaningful.

Centralized vs. Decentralized Exchanges

It’s clear that education plays a vital role in mass adoption, especially in crypto. Bitget has invested heavily in educational campaigns alongside launching innovative tech products. But isn’t this the paradox?! As users become more educated, they may rely less on centralized solutions, which could, in theory, challenge your own business model. As CEO, how do you view this dynamic between empowering users, concurrently retaining them within your ecosystem?

That’s a great question, and it goes straight to the core of how we operate at Bitget. Yes, there is a natural tension between user education and reliance on centralized platforms. But we don’t see that as a threat; instead, we see it as evolution. Our role isn’t to keep users dependent on us but to empower them with the power of choice.

The more knowledgeable they become, the more they’ll appreciate transparent, secure, and genuinely beneficial platforms — that’s where we focus our efforts. Take Bitget Onchain, for example. It’s built specifically for users who want the flexibility and control of DeFi but without compromising on user experience. We’re not just teaching people about decentralized tools, we’re building those tools into our own ecosystem so they don’t have to choose between education and accessibility.

Ultimately, retention isn’t about locking people in. It’s about building trust, staying ahead of user needs, and evolving with them. If we do that right, educated users won’t leave; they’ll continue to use what has consistently shown up for them.

Bitget Expansion

As a global player exploring new markets, which region do you see as holding massive untapped potential — and where do you anticipate the arduous challenges for Bitget’s expansion? How do you balance the ambition for global growth with the complexities of tough region-specific regulations? This might be where your competitors start taking notes. 🙂

That’s a timely question and one we think about constantly as we expand. Regarding untapped potential, we’re particularly excited about regions like Latin America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. These are places where traditional infrastructure doesn’t always meet the population’s needs, but where digital literacy is rising fast and crypto adoption is accelerating.

The appetite for alternatives is real, and we see a huge opportunity to empower users with more accessible, efficient financial tools. That said, expansion isn’t just about finding green pastures; it’s about navigating the thorns, too. The most challenging part of entering a new market is usually the regulatory uncertainty, especially in markets where policies can shift overnight or where crypto operates in a legal gray zone. Each region comes with its own playbook, and what works in one country might not be viable in the next.

Our approach is to balance ambition with responsibility. That means working closely with local regulators, adapting our compliance frameworks accordingly, and building long-term trust, not just rushing in for short-term wins. The truth is, global growth in crypto isn’t about moving fast and breaking things anymore. It’s about moving smart and building things that last. And yes, if competitors are taking notes, we’re happy to share the message: thoughtful expansion beats aggressive scaling every time.

AI in the Eyes of a CEO

AI agents are experiencing accelerated evolution, and in the next five years, they could probably replace most human-managed operational tasks. Can you envision a future where an AI agent sits alongside you at the boardroom table, leading the Product Development Division and even challenging your decisions? How do you interpret AI’s role in influencing corporate development and executive decision-making?

We’ve already started incorporating AI into our trading tools, as with GetAgents, so it’s not far-fetched to think that AI agents could be part of boardroom conversations. That said, I don’t see AI replacing human leadership; instead, I see it supporting it. The strength of AI lies in its ability to digest vast amounts of data, identify patterns we might overlook, and then provide an analysis to guide decision-making.

I believe that leadership is inherently human. Leadership requires understanding nuanced conversations and situations that an AI might struggle to understand because they are not black and white. Ultimately, I believe that AI is a tool meant to aid in decision-making, not the final executor.

A Woman-Led Vision

As a prominent female CEO in a more male-dominated industry, you’ve led initiatives like Blockchain4Her — and more recently, a remarkable collaboration with UNICEF. How has your perspective as a woman in leadership influenced Bitget’s corporate culture? And looking ahead, what concrete steps should the industry take to move beyond token gestures and build a truly inclusive Web3 ecosystem?

As a woman in a leadership role in a traditionally male-dominated industry, I’ve seen how intentional action can reshape not just company culture but the broader ecosystem. At Bitget, my perspective as a female CEO has helped foster a culture grounded in inclusion, empathy, and purpose, values that are reflected in initiatives like Blockchain4Her and our partnership with UNICEF. Blockchain4Her isn’t just a campaign. It’s a $10 million commitment to supporting women through education, funding, and mentorship. Our work with UNICEF takes this a step further by advancing digital literacy for girls in underserved communities.

For the Web3 space to be truly inclusive, we must go beyond surface-level representation. That means funding women-led projects, building with diverse users in mind, and creating safe spaces for women. If we want Web3 to define the future, we must ensure it doesn’t repeat past mistakes.

Open Mic: Your Thoughts on the Market

We’d love to give you the floor for an open-ended response. What are your personal thoughts on current market conditions, and do you have any insights on the future of the industry you’d like to share?

The current market reflects a turning point in crypto’s maturity. We’re seeing a wave of institutional interest, meaningful regulatory progress in several regions, and a clear shift from speculation to utility. Beyond price movements, what excites me most is the evolution of real-world use cases. From on-chain finance and tokenized assets to AI-driven dApps and programmable identity.

This signals that crypto is no longer just a niche; it’s becoming embedded in the fabric of future digital economies. I always share my thoughts on the ecosystem on X, so follow me there for more live commentaries!

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