Gracy Chen
CEO of Bitget
Gracy, your career path has been remarkably diverse, from media to startups and now crypto. What about the crypto industry convinced you to stay and build a long-term career?
I’ve always been drawn to emerging technologies, and when I first learned about Web3, stepping into the space felt like a natural progression. My career began as a TV host for a finance and technology program at Phoenix TV, one of China’s largest media conglomerates. During that time, I had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s most influential tech leaders, and it was through those conversations that I was first introduced to crypto. My background in finance, coupled with a passion for technology, drove me to explore the industry in depth—and I quickly realized it was where I wanted to be.
I joined Bitget in 2022 as Managing Director and took on the role of CEO in 2024. Since then, the company has achieved record-breaking growth: between November 2023 and June 2025, Bitget recorded a cumulative $11.5 trillion in derivatives trading volume, securing its place among the top four global exchanges. Today, Bitget is recognized as the leading exchange for ETH and SOL spot depth, the second-largest for BTC, and firmly established among the top three exchanges worldwide for execution quality.
Your journey from media host to CEO of a top global exchange naturally drew public attention. So, much of that narrative centers on Gracy Chen—the CEO, the advocate, the leader. Beyond titles, who is Gracy as a woman? How has your identity (e.g., mathematician, media personality, investor) shaped your leadership voice in unexpected ways?
I think of myself as someone who has always lived at the intersection of logic and storytelling. Early training in applied mathematics has given me a deep appreciation for structure and precision—skills that help me make decisions, especially under pressure. But it was my years as a media host that have taught me how to connect with people, how to ask better questions, and how to distill complex topics into something clear and meaningful.
That combination, analytical thinking plus communication, has shaped how I lead today. It helps me navigate a global team, speak across cultures, and build trust quickly, both inside and outside Bitget. Being an investor has also taught me how to balance risk with vision, and, perhaps, more importantly, how to tune out noise. So beyond the role of CEO, I’m someone who sees leadership not just as direction but as translation: turning strategy into shared conviction and metrics into meaning.
You’ve painted a very human picture beyond the CEO title. As one of the few women leading a global crypto exchange, how do you see your role not just as CEO, but as a role model for women entering finance and technology?
Being one of the few women leading a global crypto exchange, I see my role as both a responsibility and an opportunity. As a CEO, my priority is to drive Bitget’s growth and deliver value to our users and partners. But beyond business performance, I also recognize the importance of representation. Finance and technology have traditionally been male-dominated industries, and visibility matters. When women see someone in this position, it sends a message that these spaces are open to them, too.
That’s why initiatives like Blockchain4Her, which I co-founded, are so close to my heart. Through education, funding, and mentorship, we aim to give women the tools and confidence to pursue careers in blockchain and Web3. Our recent partnership with UNICEF Luxembourg is a testament to this as well. By showing young girls the possibilities of blockchain, I hope to inspire them to dream bigger.
By breaking barriers at the leadership level, I can help pave the way for more women to step into the industry, not just as participants but as leaders shaping its future.
With that role also comes a lot of visibility. What’s the hardest part about being in the spotlight that people don’t usually see—whether it’s scrutiny, bias, or even safety—and how do you manage it?
Visibility is a privilege, but it also comes with pressure that’s not always visible to others. As a woman, especially in a male-dominated industry, you often face a double standard: you’re expected to be strong but not too strong, assertive but never too ambitious. Every public move is dissected, and there’s a constant balancing act between authenticity and expectation.
What people don’t often see is the emotional resilience it takes to stay focused amid criticism or unfair assumptions. There’s also a personal toll, moments with family missed, and a level of scrutiny that can feel invasive. For me, what helps is trust, trust in my team, in the work we’re doing, and in the purpose behind it all. I’ve also learned to create intentional boundaries around my time and energy, and to be okay with not being perfect. At the end of the day, being in the spotlight matters only if it lights the way for others. That’s what keeps me grounded.
Indeed, visibility turned into a way of lighting the path for others is an essential perspective. Half of Bitget’s management team is female—a rarity in the industry. What practical steps did you take to make that possible, and what lessons could other fintech and crypto firms learn from this approach?
At Bitget, we didn’t set out to hit a quota—our approach was about building the right culture and putting systems in place that naturally encourage diversity. Half of our management team today is female because we created an environment where women are actively recruited, mentored, and given clear pathways to leadership. This included broadening our talent pipelines beyond the traditional finance and tech networks, building flexible career tracks that recognize different strengths, and ensuring women have equal access to decision-making opportunities from day one. This was a deliberate move to ensure that we practice what we preach.
Speaking on inclusion, you launched Blockchain4Her in early 2024 and evolved it into awards, mentorship, and even pitch programs. What outcomes have you seen that have changed your mind about what actually helps female founders: capital, customers, or credibility?
When we launched Blockchain4Her, we assumed capital would be the main driver for female founders. What we’ve learned, though, is that credibility and customers can be just as powerful. Recognition, visibility, and networks often open doors that money alone cannot.
Since 2024, Blockchain4Her has provided $50,000 in funding, honored 9 women with awards, and hosted more than 10 global meetups for over 1,000 participants. These efforts have given founders financial resources as well as exposure and connections to scale. Global media attention has amplified this impact, proving that a mix of capital, community, and credibility is what truly empowers female entrepreneurs.
The traction Blockchain4Her gained so quickly is inspiring! Finally, if you could go back and give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be? And how might that advice apply to women in leadership roles?
If I could give one piece of advice to my younger self, it would be to trust my instincts sooner. In fast-moving industries like technology and crypto, hesitation often means missed opportunities, and I’ve learned that conviction and courage are just as important as strategy.
For women in leadership, this advice applies even more strongly. Too often, we feel the need to overprove ourselves before raising our hands for the next challenge. My message is that you are already enough—lean into your perspective, trust your judgment, and don’t be afraid to lead with confidence. That mindset not only accelerates personal growth but also inspires others to do the same.
