OKCoin, a leading fiat-focused digital asset exchange with service in 184 countries, announced today that CEO Tim Byun has been appointed as Global Government Relations Officer (GGRO) of OKGroup. The OKCoin Board has appointed the company’s current Chairman, Hong Fang, to the position of CEO, effective March 31, 2020.
Mr. Byun was instrumental in forming OKCoin’s US entity and opening the company’s first US Office in September 2017, in Mountain View, California. He then oversaw the opening of OKCoin’s US Headquarters overlooking the San Francisco Bay in June 2018. He also spearheaded the research into the company’s European expansion in early 2018, resulting in opening its Malta Office and launching its Euro-book in October 2018. As GGRO of OK Group, Tim will focus on continued geographic expansion and maintaining constant dialogues with governments and regulators worldwide on behalf of OKCoin and OKGroup.
“As we enter a new decade, the crypto industry will truly become more global and ubiquitous with the collaboration of governments, especially those that have evolved from a wait-and-see-approach to developing new regulatory frameworks, such as Singapore, Germany and France,” said Tim Byun, GGRO of OKGroup. “I’ve always believed that working transparently with governments and regulators is vital to helping OKCoin and the overall crypto ecosystem to grow in a safe and sound manner. This new appointment is an exciting challenge and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as our group continues to expand to new territories.”
“I’m also confidently passing on the OKCoin torch to the capable hands of Chairman Hong, who will be appointed as CEO when our transition is completed on March 31, 2020. With her natural leadership skills and her distinguished career in finance and business strategy, I have no doubt that she’ll take OKCoin to new heights and achieve our mission of making digital assets accessible to the world.”
A former Goldman Sachs banker, a growth equity investor, a global citizen and a longtime member of OK Group’s Board of Directors, Hong joined as OK Group COO and OKCoin Chairman in July 2019. She has played a pivotal role in establishing the San Francisco office as the Group’s international headquarters and growing a product-driven global platform, enabling the company to offer fiat-to-crypto trading services in more states in the US and expanding into new geographies.
“I want to thank Tim for his remarkable leadership and contribution,” said Hong Fang. “His strong compliance expertise, balanced approach to business, and strategic thinking has been instrumental for us in establishing our US and European presence among industry volatilities. I’m glad that he will continue to work with us in his new capacity and help us grow.”
“Since OKCoin was founded in 2013, we have been a firm believer in the power of an open financial system empowered by cryptocurrency and its underlying blockchain technology. We want to make it easy and safe to buy and sell crypto assets with fiat anywhere in the world, because that is the very first step (and a fundamental component) to building an open and inclusive financial system. This goal has never changed for us. We are proud that we have always been standing at the forefront of a transformative industry. Now with our international headquarters in San Francisco, we look forward to working with a growing, mission-driven team, continuing to provide safe, secure and compliant fiat on-ramp to crypto assets to our customers worldwide and playing an active role in bringing cryptocurrency into the mainstream.”