From personal investor to the Global Chief Sales Officer of Bitget, Intae Song shares in this article the opportunities and challenges he encountered entering the crypto industry, reflects on the team atmosphere and development journey in the early days of Bitget, details his strategies and experiences during global expansion, and offers insights on the future of the contract market, the role of institutional investors, and the combination of blockchain and AI. He particularly mentions that maintaining a habit of face-to-face communication with two clients each week has helped him capture market changes in a timely manner and adjust strategies and product directions more effectively. He also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adapting to market changes, providing advice and counsel for newcomers to the industry.
This article reflects the author's personal views and does not represent the views of Wu Shuo.
1. How did you initially enter the crypto industry as a personal investor? What were the key opportunities or inspirations at that time? What was the biggest challenge you faced during this process, and how did you overcome it?
The process of entering the crypto industry was not a sudden one. As a personal investor, I initially focused on some inefficiencies in the traditional financial system, particularly the settlement cycles in traditional financial markets and the barriers to cross-border payments. As I delved deeper into cryptocurrency technology and blockchain, I realized that it could not only solve these problems but also create entirely new ways of financial interaction. My interest in the potential of this technology led me to decide to fully immerse myself in it.
One of the biggest challenges I faced during this process was how to cope with the high volatility of the crypto market and the information noise within it. In the early days, I was also confused by some technical details, and extracting useful content for investment decisions from the noise was a significant challenge. Sometimes, the extreme emotions in the market could lead one to blindly follow trends, and maintaining rationality to make long-term effective judgments was a problem I gradually overcame.
Ultimately, the method that helped me clarify my thoughts was to view the crypto industry through the lens of traditional investment analysis. Focusing on the fundamentals of projects and their practical applications, rather than blindly chasing market trends. This way of thinking helped me gradually distinguish between signals and noise, and it also strengthened my belief in the crypto industry.
2. What was the team size and company atmosphere like when you joined Bitget as an early employee? Are there any startup stories that left a deep impression on you?
When I joined, Bitget was still a small team of fewer than 50 people. My department had only three people, and due to limited manpower, everyone wore multiple hats, but we shared a common belief — that cryptocurrency could reshape traditional finance. Despite the steep learning curve in the industry, we maintained a pragmatic spirit and pushed things forward. It is well known that the pace of change in the crypto industry is comparable to the speed of light, and in the early days of the startup, we were almost racing against time, not only to create products that met market demands but also to build a solid infrastructure to support massive trading volumes while continuously launching innovative features.
One memorable experience was during the early stages of the launch of Bitget's futures market. To troubleshoot a critical issue that "could prevent users from smoothly opening and closing positions during extreme market conditions," our team stayed late after work to debug and ensure a smooth launch as planned. Throughout the process, the team atmosphere was tense, but everyone supported each other and fought side by side just to deliver on time. Besides technical issues, we also faced some challenges in customer service. Since there were no dedicated customer service staff at that time, I personally handled a large amount of user feedback. These experiences made me deeply realize that teamwork and flexibility are the keys to success.
The team culture at that time was intense but highly collaborative. We had a common goal and a strong desire for growth and progress, as the entire industry was striving to earn market trust and recognition. I believe this way of thinking is still applicable today — always maintaining a forward-looking perspective, anticipating user needs, and actively shaping the industry we want to delve into.
3. What were your main responsibilities or contributions during Bitget's global expansion? What major challenges did you encounter? Can you share a particularly memorable case when exploring new markets?
Successful exchanges have their own advantages, and one of my core responsibilities is to leverage Bitget's strengths through contract trading. However, pushing Bitget into different markets is not as simple as just launching contract trading. We also need to truly understand the cultural differences in various regions, as these differences directly affect trading habits, and each region has different regulatory requirements and licensing issues. If we recklessly enter a new market without understanding these factors, it could backfire; but if we move too slowly, we might miss the opportunity. Therefore, I need to work closely with the legal team and establish connections locally to ensure our products meet local needs while complying with global standards.
By gaining in-depth knowledge of each market, we can tailor more suitable products for different regions rather than simply applying a "one-size-fits-all" model. Although there hasn't been any particularly standout event during the expansion process, the key lesson I learned is that successful market expansion depends on the right entry strategy, which cannot be achieved without close cooperation and coordination with relevant regulatory bodies.
4. What changes and upgrades have you experienced moving from Sales Director to Business Partner, and now to CSO? Can you introduce the specific responsibilities of these positions to the readers? What are the key focus areas moving forward?
In fact, my core responsibilities have not changed much; I mainly focus on expanding Bitget's partnership network and sales opportunities. However, my scope of work has now expanded to include a global dimension.
The upcoming key focus areas will concentrate on several aspects:
Global Market Expansion: Continue to drive Bitget's expansion in emerging markets, especially in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and other underdeveloped regions. We will tailor different products and strategies based on cultural differences, regulatory requirements, and market demands in each region to ensure maximum growth globally.
Innovative Products and Services: As the crypto industry continues to evolve, we will keep an eye on market demands and drive platform innovation. For example, recently launched innovative products like Bitget Seed and Early Hunter airdrop help users discover and capture quality assets early on.
Deepening Institutional and VIP Business: Build a more diversified user structure; institutional users will enjoy 24/7 dedicated services and API upgrades, exclusive data backends, lower trading fees, faster trading speeds, higher trading limits, flexible financing, and customized wealth management services.
Regulatory Compliance and Industry Cooperation: As global crypto regulations gradually improve, we will place greater emphasis on compliance to ensure the company's operations in various markets comply with local laws and regulations. At the same time, we will strengthen cooperation with industry players both inside and outside the sector to establish a stronger ecosystem of partners, enhancing Bitget's market competitiveness and brand influence.
5. Bitget is known for its "wolf culture"; is this more evident in the sales team? What are the main goals of the current sales team? How do you view the future of the contract market?
As I mentioned earlier, Bitget's core strategy is to create differentiated advantages. The "wolf culture" is better described as a pragmatic corporate culture that is results-oriented; those who deliver results will be fully empowered and rewarded, simple and efficient. For instance, last year, we allocated $70 million to reward over 1,700 employees, and regardless of whether the market is bullish or bearish, year-end bonuses are never delayed. We collaborate and strive for a common goal rather than internal consumption. Collaboration is our important principle, and we maintain an open feedback mechanism. The mission of the sales team is to push cryptocurrency into the mainstream. While the external environment indeed helps the industry's development, the sales team must always pay attention to changes in market demand and regulatory trends to ensure Bitget remains a top choice for investors.
I believe the contract market will increasingly cater to professional traders and institutional investors in the future. The derivatives in traditional finance are mainly used for hedging and leverage strategies, and the development path of the crypto market is similar. With the entry of institutional funds, the trend of compliance and structuring will accelerate. Currently, the core users of the contract market are still high-frequency traders and arbitrageurs, but more and more institutions are beginning to allocate crypto assets and explore more complex trading strategies. As the regulatory environment improves, market liquidity and depth will further enhance, and even more complex customized derivatives may emerge. We will continue to optimize products to provide individuals and institutions with richer trading tools and a stable trading environment.
6. I heard that you still maintain the habit of meeting two clients each week; how has this habit helped you?
Yes, this is a habit I have maintained since joining, and I don't plan to stop it in the future. This habit has been very helpful for me. It allows me to directly understand their needs and feedback, helping us continuously improve our products and services. I believe that face-to-face communication with clients is one of the most direct and effective ways to capture their thoughts and market changes. Innovative features like Bitget Seed are actually ideas proposed by clients, which our internal team then transforms into actual products for development and launch.
This communication not only allows me to discover new opportunities more quickly but also helps me resolve client issues in a timely manner, giving me more confidence in decision-making because I can adjust our strategies based on clients' actual needs. Moreover, this kind of communication deepens mutual trust and allows us to establish longer-term and more stable cooperative relationships.
7. What cryptocurrencies do you currently hold? What is your largest holding? What are your largest altcoin and meme holdings? How do you view the current cooling of altcoins and the relative popularity of memes?
As a personal investor, it is essential to maintain sensitivity to the market and align personal investment strategies with industry trends. Currently, my crypto investment portfolio includes mainstream assets like BTC and ETH, as well as some quality altcoins and projects in emerging sectors.
BGB holds a special position in my investments; it is not just an investment product but more like a partner that "grows" with us. Its value growth also represents the market's recognition of us, and this positive feedback can motivate the team to keep moving forward.
Regarding the current market trends, the recent cooling of altcoins is mainly influenced by the macro environment, capital flows, and market sentiment. In contrast, the popularity of meme coins reflects changes in short-term capital preferences, especially driven by community culture and market sentiment, meme assets often achieve excess returns during specific phases. However, in the long run, quality projects will still emerge based on technological innovation and practical application value. In the current market environment, investors need to pay attention to short-term market sentiment while also managing risks effectively.
8. What sectors in the crypto field are you currently most focused on? How do you view the future market trends?
I have been paying attention to the structural changes in the crypto market and long-term growth opportunities. Currently, the sectors I am most focused on include the derivatives market, institutional trading, and the combination of AI and blockchain.
In terms of the derivatives market, the contract trading market is becoming increasingly mature, with participation from institutions and professional traders on the rise. Bitget has been continuously optimizing product experiences to meet increasingly complex trading demands.
In terms of institutional trading, with the launch of the BTC spot ETF, more and more traditional financial institutions are entering the crypto market. In the future, compliance, liquidity management, and professional-grade trading tools will become new growth points. As the industry matures, the regulatory framework will become increasingly clear, providing a more secure entry environment for more institutional investors.
As for the combination of AI and blockchain, the application of AI in smart trading, data analysis, and security risk control is changing the crypto industry. In the future, the potential of AI in smart contracts, automated trading, and anti-fraud measures is also worth paying attention to.
9. How do you balance life and work? What does your daily schedule look like? What are your hobbies?
Rather than "balancing work and life," the term "integration of work and life" better describes my state. My work does not follow a fixed 9-to-6 schedule; often, work and life intertwine.
Golf is my favorite sport. Interestingly, most of my golf buddies are clients I have known for over three years, and through playing, we have become friends. I introduced them to golf, which has brought us closer. At work, we also support each other, and the feeling of mutual achievement is fantastic. In a sense, this is also a part of the "work" that I truly enjoy.
Besides golf, on weekends, I also cook for my family and experiment with new dishes. I find that researching new cuisines is similar to investing in crypto assets; both require enough patience and the need to find a suitable "recipe," adjusting according to one's needs and tastes. Although my cooking skills are average, every meal I prepare brings me a sense of accomplishment, especially when I can share it with my family, providing them with quality companionship.
I enjoy joking around with my team members to maintain a relaxed atmosphere. Although work can be busy, occasionally switching up the pace helps maintain a light-hearted mindset. I am also very grateful for my family's understanding and support. My wife and son are my greatest motivation, so I try to carve out time on weekends or during my free time to be with them and enjoy quality family time.
I believe true efficiency is not just about putting in work but also about knowing how to switch gears and find a balance between fast and slow that suits you.
10. As someone who has transitioned from a personal investor to a manager, what advice or counsel would you give to young people who want to enter the crypto industry or work in trading-related jobs?
The crypto industry is different from traditional finance; it is not only an emerging asset class but also a completely new financial paradigm. If you want to establish yourself in this industry, maintaining curiosity is crucial. You need to continuously learn new technologies and models and be willing to break existing perceptions to adapt to the rapid changes in the market.
In trading, practice is definitely more important than theory. The market does not follow the rules in textbooks; real growth comes from accumulating experience through practical battles. My advice is to start with small trades, build your own strategy, and focus more on data rather than emotions. Trading is not gambling; long-term success relies on understanding and controlling risk.
Additionally, finding the right circle is also very important. Whether through mentors, trading communities, or joining industry companies, communicating with experienced individuals can help you grow faster. This industry is developing rapidly, and walking alongside excellent people can help you quickly identify your strengths and direction.
The most important point — embrace uncertainty. The crypto market is highly volatile, but every challenge comes with opportunities. By maintaining patience, continuing to learn, and managing risks well, you will find your place in this industry.
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