On January 5, 2026, the power landscape of cryptocurrency exchanges underwent a landmark transformation.
The once "headquarters-less" global largest exchange has officially been taken over by three licensed entities from Abu Dhabi Global Market(ADGM). Trading platforms, clearing and custody, OTC trading—each business has a clear ownership. This once seemingly decentralized giant now has a true legal domicile.
All of this happened less than a month after He Yisheng was appointed Co-CEO. What has happened in this month? An employee was suspended for profiting from insider information on social media; official whistleblower rewards were properly allocated; He Yisheng frequently analyzed himself in various forums—listing quality varies, product experience gaps are obvious, organizational inefficiencies due to scale, talent pipeline gaps...
From an era driven by personal decision-making to a new stage of institutionalized, diversified decision-making. This is both the cost of growth and a mark of maturity. As the scale increases, flexibility is challenged, but compliance is strengthened. For this industry, whether order and efficiency can find a balance at the exchange level is becoming increasingly critical.
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YieldWhisperer
· 10h ago
Has He Yi really laid out all the messes in just one month? From anarchism to having parents in control... such a transformation.
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TokenEconomist
· 01-09 05:59
actually, let me break this down—what they're calling "maturity" is basically just regulatory capitulation dressed up fancy. the whole "no headquarters" thing was never about decentralization, it was about plausible deniability, right? now they're admitting the game's changed.
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BridgeJumper
· 01-09 05:59
He Yi's move is truly about tidying up the mess. Turning scattered soldiers into a system within a month looks tough, but it really has to be done this way.
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OfflineNewbie
· 01-09 05:56
Oh wow, finally have a headquarters. The previous slogan of "We Are Everywhere" had me ears calloused from hearing it.
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PancakeFlippa
· 01-09 05:49
Such a big move in just one month, this transition is a bit quick. Compliance is a good thing, but it does come with significant costs, and it feels like flexibility is gone.
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BearMarketLightning
· 01-09 05:48
Wow, is this really happening and "getting out"? The former no headquarters is now directly incorporated by the UAE, and the contrast is quite striking.
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SerLiquidated
· 01-09 05:36
Wow, someone finally stepped in. It's time to put an end to that "anarchist" act.
On January 5, 2026, the power landscape of cryptocurrency exchanges underwent a landmark transformation.
The once "headquarters-less" global largest exchange has officially been taken over by three licensed entities from Abu Dhabi Global Market(ADGM). Trading platforms, clearing and custody, OTC trading—each business has a clear ownership. This once seemingly decentralized giant now has a true legal domicile.
All of this happened less than a month after He Yisheng was appointed Co-CEO. What has happened in this month? An employee was suspended for profiting from insider information on social media; official whistleblower rewards were properly allocated; He Yisheng frequently analyzed himself in various forums—listing quality varies, product experience gaps are obvious, organizational inefficiencies due to scale, talent pipeline gaps...
From an era driven by personal decision-making to a new stage of institutionalized, diversified decision-making. This is both the cost of growth and a mark of maturity. As the scale increases, flexibility is challenged, but compliance is strengthened. For this industry, whether order and efficiency can find a balance at the exchange level is becoming increasingly critical.