Introduction
In the volatile world of cryptocurrency, few stories capture the imagination like that of He Yi - better known as the "Crypto Queen." This is the journey of a rural Sichuan girl who became a media personality, then transformed into one of crypto's most influential figures as Binance's co-founder and CMO.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1986 in rural Sichuan to teacher parents, He Yi displayed exceptional intellect from childhood:
- Began primary school at age 5
- Self-educated through her parents' book collection
- Consistently top-ranked academically
Her early career path meandered through:
- Psychology studies (abandoned due to limited industry prospects)
- Stock trading during the 2007 bull market
- University teaching position
Media Breakthrough
In 2012, He Yi's life took a dramatic turn when she entered media:
- Became travel show host for Beautiful Destinations
- Later hosted Beijing TV's New Discoveries
- Earned up to $10K monthly through hosting and commercial events
Key skills developed:
- Public speaking
- Brand promotion
- Audience engagement
Entry into Cryptocurrency
The pivotal moment came in 2013:
- Introduced to Bitcoin through OKcoin's red envelope campaign
- Fascinated by blockchain's potential
- Joined OKcoin in 2014 as VP at $40K annual salary
Notable achievements at OKcoin:
- Secured appearances on You're the One (非你莫属)
- Orchestrated Times Square brand showcase
- Recruited Changpeng Zhao ("CZ") as CTO
Transition Period
After leaving OKcoin due to internal conflicts:
- Served as VP at Yixia Technology (parent of live-streaming platforms)
- Masterminded Song Joong-ki's live-streamed fan meeting
- Gained crucial corporate management experience
Binance Era
In 2017, He Yi joined forces with CZ to launch Binance:
- Became co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer
- Spearheaded marketing that propelled Binance to #1 exchange by volume
- Implemented investor-friendly policies during China's crypto crackdown
Investment strategy:
- Purchased 1.8M BNB tokens at $0.50 each
- Current value: ~$486M (at $270/token)
- Estimated total net worth exceeding $1B
Leadership Philosophy
He Yi's management principles:
- Radical Transparency: Direct communication above office politics
- Accountability: Team failures reflect leadership failures
- Continuous Improvement: Constant skill development
Success Framework
The Crypto Queen's blueprint for upward mobility:
- Knowledge Foundation: Leverage education when resources are limited
- Strategic Experimentation: Take calculated risks while young
- Opportunity Recognition: Prioritize experience over short-term gains
FAQ
Q: How did He Yi first get involved with crypto?
A: Through promoting OKcoin's 2014 Bitcoin red envelope campaign after being introduced by investor Mai Gang.
Q: What's unique about Binance's investor policy?
A: They refunded Chinese investors at market rates (4-8x purchase price) during the 2017 crackdown rather than just returning principal.
Q: Why is He Yi called the 'Crypto Queen'?
A: For breaking gender barriers in male-dominated crypto while demonstrating exceptional marketing acumen and leadership.
Q: What's her investment advice?
A: "If you don't believe in what you're doing, how can you expect others to invest?" - emphasizing conviction over speculation.
Q: How much BNB does He Yi hold?
A: Estimates suggest ~1.8M tokens purchased at $0.50 each, now worth ~$486M at current prices.
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Q: What's next for He Yi?
A: Focusing on global crypto adoption and developing Binance's next-phase growth strategies while mentoring new talent in blockchain.