Binance Names Co-Founder Yi He as Co-CEO Amid Global Expansion Push

• Yi He, Binance co-founder, named co-CEO to drive innovation and community expansion.

• The appointment was announced at Binance Blockchain Week by CEO Richard Teng.

• This leadership change follows Richard Teng’s CEO role since late 2023, emphasizing compliance in global markets; Binance reported over 200 million users worldwide as of 2025.

Discover how Binance’s new co-CEO Yi He is shaping the future of crypto exchanges. Learn about leadership changes, regulatory strategies, and innovation—stay ahead in the evolving digital asset landscape.

What Does Binance’s Appointment of Yi He as Co-CEO Mean for the Crypto Industry?

Binance’s appointment of Yi He as co-CEO marks a significant evolution in the cryptocurrency exchange’s executive structure, aimed at enhancing strategic decision-making amid global regulatory pressures. Yi He, who co-founded Binance in 2017 with Changpeng Zhao, brings deep expertise in product development and community engagement. This dual-CEO model with Richard Teng combines regulatory insight with crypto-native innovation, positioning Binance for sustainable growth in a maturing market.

How Will Yi He’s Background Influence Binance’s Product Innovation?

Yi He, previously Binance’s chief marketing officer, has been instrumental in fostering the platform’s user base since its inception. Her appointment as co-CEO allows her to directly influence product strategies, emphasizing user-centric innovations like advanced trading tools and educational resources. According to Binance’s internal reports, under her marketing leadership, the exchange expanded its global community to over 200 million users by 2025, integrating features that prioritize security and accessibility. Experts in the field, such as financial analysts from regulatory bodies, note that her crypto-native perspective will complement Teng’s compliance-focused approach, potentially accelerating developments in decentralized finance integrations. This synergy is expected to address key challenges like market volatility and user trust, with short-term goals including enhanced DeFi protocols and partnerships for cross-border payments.

Binance appointed co-founder Yi He as co-CEO, elevating one of its earliest architects to a formal leadership role alongside chief executive Richard Teng. This decision underscores the exchange’s commitment to blending foundational vision with modern regulatory compliance.

In a Wednesday announcement on stage at Binance Blockchain Week, Binance CEO Richard Teng said co-founder Yi He had been appointed co-CEO. Teng said He “has been an integral part of the executive leadership team since the launch of Binance,” calling the appointment “a natural progression.” Teng added that He, Binance’s chief marketing officer prior to her appointment as co-CEO, is crucial in expanding Binance’s community and driving product innovation.

Yi He said that sharing the CEO role with Teng will make use of two very different perspectives, with Teng bringing his experience in regulated financial markets. As a crypto native, Yi He co-founded Binance in 2017 alongside Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, contributing to its rapid rise as the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume.

Yi He’s appointment announcement image. Source: Binance

Richard Teng was appointed as Binance’s CEO back in late November 2023, after CZ resigned and pleaded guilty to charges levied against him by the US Department of Justice. Until then, Teng served as the company’s head of regional markets outside of the United States, where he navigated complex regulatory environments in regions like Europe and Asia. Under his leadership, Binance has intensified efforts to obtain licenses in key jurisdictions, including full regulatory approval from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and ongoing compliance with the European Union’s MiCA framework.

This leadership transition reflects broader trends in the cryptocurrency sector, where exchanges are increasingly prioritizing experienced executives to handle escalating scrutiny from global regulators. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other bodies continue to shape the industry’s landscape, pushing platforms like Binance toward greater transparency and user protection. Yi He’s elevation signals Binance’s strategy to leverage internal talent for long-term stability, particularly as the exchange eyes expansion into emerging markets in Africa and Latin America.

From an operational standpoint, the co-CEO structure allows for divided responsibilities: Teng focuses on regulatory affairs and international partnerships, while Yi He spearheads marketing, product development, and community initiatives. This division is informed by Binance’s growth metrics, which show a 25% increase in active users in regulated markets over the past year, per company disclosures. Industry observers, including reports from financial journalism outlets, highlight that such internal promotions reduce risks associated with external hires, especially in a sector prone to high-profile legal challenges.

Binance’s resilience post-2023 leadership shakeup has been notable, with trading volumes rebounding to record highs in 2024 and early 2025. The platform’s launch of Binance Earn and its Web3 wallet integrations exemplify the innovative edge that Yi He is expected to sharpen. Furthermore, her role could enhance Binance’s advocacy for crypto-friendly policies, drawing on her experience at events like Binance Blockchain Week to engage stakeholders worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is Yi He and What Is Her Role in Binance’s History?

Yi He is a co-founder of Binance, established in 2017, and has served as chief marketing officer before her recent promotion to co-CEO. She played a key role in building the exchange’s global community and innovating products, contributing to its position as a leader in the crypto space with factual emphasis on user growth and market expansion.

Why Did Binance Choose a Co-CEO Structure with Richard Teng?

Binance adopted a co-CEO model to combine Richard Teng’s regulatory expertise from traditional finance with Yi He’s crypto-native insights, ensuring balanced leadership for global operations and innovation. This approach supports seamless decision-making in a fast-paced industry, promoting compliance while fostering community-driven growth—ideal for voice-activated queries on platform strategy.

Key Takeaways

• Strengthened Leadership: Yi He’s co-CEO role alongside Richard Teng bolsters Binance’s executive team with diverse expertise in regulation and innovation.
• Focus on Expansion: The appointment aligns with Binance’s push into regulated markets, leveraging over 200 million users for sustainable growth.
• Innovation Drive: Expect accelerated product developments in DeFi and community tools to enhance user engagement and security.

Conclusion

Binance’s appointment of Yi He as co-CEO represents a strategic pivot toward integrated leadership that merges regulatory compliance with visionary innovation in the cryptocurrency exchange arena. As the platform navigates global challenges, this co-CEO model with Richard Teng promises enhanced stability and user-focused advancements. Looking ahead, stakeholders can anticipate Binance’s continued dominance, with opportunities for investors to explore secure trading amid the sector’s maturation—consider monitoring upcoming regulatory updates for informed participation.