Jay Hao currently serves as the CEO of OKX, one of the world's leading cryptocurrency exchanges. Founded in 2017 by blockchain pioneer Star Xu (徐明星), OKX operates under OK Group—which also owns the crypto exchange Okcoin. While the platform isn't available to U.S.-based investors, it has gained global recognition under Hao's leadership, alongside CMO Haider Rafique.
About Star Xu: Founder and Blockchain Visionary
Early Life and Career
Born in 1985, Xu graduated from Beijing University of Science and Technology with a degree in Applied Physics (2006). He later pursued a mathematics graduate program at Renmin University but left to launch his entrepreneurial journey. His early ventures included:
- Wan Tuan Wang: A group-buying website.
- Yahoo China: Briefly worked as an engineer.
- Douding Wang: Founded this document-sharing platform in 2007, serving as CTO until 2012.
Rise in Crypto
In 2013, Xu founded OKCoin, a digital asset trading platform that became a global leader within months, securing $10 million in Series A funding. Key milestones:
- 2014: Spoke at the "China Youth Angels Annual Summit."
- 2015: OKCoin's Bitcoin ad debuted on Times Square.
- 2016: Appointed to China’s National Internet Finance Security Technology Committee.
- 2018: Stepped down as OKEx CEO but remained influential in OK Group.
Later Roles
- 2019: Resigned as OK Group’s legal representative, focusing on advisory roles.
- 2020: Chaired the Blockchain Committee of the Beijing Youth Internet Association.
- 2022: Left his position as non-executive director at OKLink.
Achievements and Honors
Xu’s accolades reflect his impact on fintech and blockchain:
- 2014: OKCoin won "Best Financial Enterprise Award" by China’s National Information Industry Platform.
- 2015: Named among "Top 100 Innovative Talent in Chinese Brand Building."
- 2019–2022: Ranked on Hurun’s Rich Lists with peaks of 100B RMB (~$14B USD) in net worth.
Publications and Thought Leadership
Xu authored four influential books:
- Blockchain: Reshaping the Economy and the World
- Illustrated Guide to Blockchain
- Token Economy
- The Fun History of Finance
His animated series Chain and the Future further demystifies blockchain for public audiences.
FAQs
Q: Is OKX available in the United States?
A: No, OKX currently restricts access for U.S.-based users due to regulatory compliance.
Q: What’s the relationship between OKX and OKCoin?
A: Both are subsidiaries of OK Group, with OKCoin focusing on fiat-to-crypto trades and OKX on advanced derivatives.
Q: How did Star Xu contribute to blockchain adoption?
A: Through OKCoin’s early growth, policy advisory roles, and educational content like books and videos.
Q: Why did Xu step down as CEO?
A: To shift focus to strategic oversight and industry advocacy while empowering new leadership like Jay Hao.
👉 Explore OKX’s trading platforms for secure crypto transactions.
👉 Learn blockchain basics with Star Xu’s curated resources.