Interview with He Yi: How did you go from being someone "too expensive to hire" to becoming CZ's most important partner?

Compiled & translated by: Deep Tide TechFlow

Guest: He Yi

Host: Bonnie

Podcast source: Bonnie Blockchain

Original Title: Binance's He Yi: The Money You Can Earn Is Money Within Your Understanding | Stories About Binance, CZ Changpeng Zhao, and More [Bonnie Blockchain]

Broadcast date: December 13, 2025

Key points summary

As the co-founder of Binance, He Yi is not only a powerful figure in the cryptocurrency field but also an irreplaceable key player in the crypto world. How did she lead Binance from a startup to a leading global cryptocurrency trading platform? In the interview, He Yi rarely shed tears, recalling her arduous journey and breakthroughs. Coming from a poor rural background, how did she step by step enter the cryptocurrency industry and rise to the core of the industry, influencing the development of the entire crypto world?

As a mother, daughter, and successful career woman, He Yi also shared her advice for women in the new era on the show. She candidly discussed career development, life choices, and views on choosing a partner, using her real experiences and unique insights to encourage women to find their own strength in this new era. This is a profound dialogue about growth, choices, and female power, showcasing He Yi's wisdom and courage—don't miss it!

(Note from DeepFlow TechFlow: This article has been edited and reordered from the original podcast content to ensure a clearer presentation.)

Summary of key viewpoints

• I feel like I grew up in an environment that encouraged learning. We had a bookshelf at home, and those books made me love reading, which made me feel different from other kids. When I was little, I thought the difference between me and others was in our intelligence, but as I grew up, I realized it was actually a difference in our cognitive abilities.

• I once read a book called "The Desire to Imitate," which mentioned that many of our desires actually stem from imitation. When we were young, we hadn't seen much of the world, so we were willing to try things without a care for gain or loss. Because our starting point was relatively low, we felt that losing was normal, and winning was an extra bonus.

• In 2013, the price of Bitcoin broke through $1,000. A VC investor named Mai Gang asked me to help him create an advertisement for a Bitcoin trading company. At a subsequent event, I met Star, and Mai Gang said to Star, "Aren't you looking for a marketing director? He Yi would be perfect." That was my entry into the cryptocurrency world.

• Because I haven't worked in a large company, I'm not very good at handling complex interpersonal relationships, but my focus on results makes my work style very direct.

• CZ tentatively asked me if I would like to join his team, but I didn't pay much attention. I remember telling him, "I'm too expensive; you probably can't afford me."

• Shortly after, they raised approximately $100 million through an ICO. CZ contacted me again, saying, "BNB is launching tomorrow. If the price of BNB increases tenfold after launch, I won't be able to give you the same offer. So you either have to agree today, or we'll have to renegotiate later."

• As a woman, whether you choose to be a devoted wife and mother, or a good mother and housewife, it's a choice, and these roles are not easy to excel at. I chose to be myself. This was both an active and passive choice.

• I think the prerequisite for making a choice is that they have tried different lifestyles and know what they truly like and dislike.

• I didn't take maternity leave after giving birth; instead, I went straight back to work. Many people ask me if I experienced postpartum depression, but my answer is that I simply didn't have time to be depressed.

• I think the most important thing in life is "since we're already here, let's make the most of this life." If you ask me what I cherish most right now, I would still choose my family.

• Only outstanding men can be with outstanding women. We shouldn't always be thinking about what we can get from the other person, but rather what we can offer them. Only when both parties can create value in the relationship can it truly be lasting and healthy.

• I don't think it matters whether I'm the CEO or not. Many people congratulate me, saying, "Congratulations, you've finally become the CEO." But I believe it has nothing to do with the title, but rather with how much responsibility you take on and how many tasks you shoulder.

• Those who support you will always support you, those who like you will still like you, and those who hate you will not change their minds no matter how you explain.

• If I were speaking to someone else, I would advise them to be braver. As for myself, there's not much to say, because I've always been rather impulsive. My past experiences, for better or worse, are all important parts of who I am today.

• Along the way, I have met many benefactors, even those who criticized me or were considered "haters." They were actually benefactors because they made me reflect and grow.

The Growth Experience of He Yi, the Queen of Crypto Circle

Host: Every time I see your interviews or conversations, I'm deeply moved. I really love stories of rising from adversity. I've learned some about your experiences; you mentioned growing up in a village. Could you talk about what life was like back then?

He Yi:

My home is in a remote mountainous area of Sichuan. It takes an hour to walk from home to the county town. When I was a child, we had electric lights, but the power supply was unstable. Especially when the wind blew, the power lines were easily broken, so we had to use kerosene lamps. We didn't have running water or a well, so we had to carry buckets to fetch water from outside.

Before I was nine years old, my family's living conditions were quite good because my parents were teachers. In the village, our family was highly respected; for example, if people in the village were arguing, they would ask my father to mediate. You could say my father was very influential in the village. But then my father suddenly passed away, and our family faced a huge change. My mother raised us alone, while also caring for the elderly and the children, making life extremely difficult.

Looking back, these experiences, good or bad, have become part of my character. I believe that all arrangements are for the best.

Host: Is there anything from your family that you believe was a key reason for your current success?

He Yi:

My father is a teacher and also a very curious person. When I was little, we had a large bookshelf with a wide variety of books, from the Compendium of Materia Medica to Romance of the Three Kingdoms, from pig farming techniques to grape cultivation, and even oracle bone script. I feel like I grew up in an environment that encouraged learning.

These books made me enjoy reading, and I felt different from other children. When I was little, I thought the difference between me and others was in our intelligence, but as I grew up, I realized it was actually a difference in our cognitive abilities. Because of this difference in understanding, I often read books at home by myself when I was a child, instead of playing with other children.

Host: I saw a report that everyone starts school at six, but you started at four?

He Yi:

Yes, because I was the middle child in my family, I was very envious of my older sister when I went to school every day. Later, my parents couldn't stand me anymore, so they enrolled me in the school where their friend was.

I was not yet six years old at the time, but my parents told the school I was six and paid the tuition so I could try it out. If it didn't work out, they would let me repeat the grade. There were no kindergartens or preschools in my hometown at that time, so I went straight to first grade at the age of four and a half.

Although I was young and might have lagged behind in physical strength and intelligence, I was always first in my class after starting school. The following year, my parents wanted me to repeat a grade, but my homeroom teacher disagreed, saying that I had to stay in his class.

Looking back now, I think it's related to my own desire to go to school. If a child doesn't want to go to school, forcing them might not be effective. But if they are passionate about something, they will try their best to do it well, without feeling that it's anything special. Passion can transcend physical and intellectual limitations.

He Yi's definition of success and her choice between gain and loss.

Host: When you were a child, did you ever think about what you wanted to be when you grew up? What is your definition of success?

He Yi:

When I was little, I didn't have a clear concept of what constituted a fulfilling life. I read a book called "The Desire to Imitate," which mentioned that many human desires actually stem from imitation. I think my thoughts were very simple when I was young. For example, if my older sister wanted to go to school, I wanted to go to school too. I hadn't seen much of the world when I was young, and I hadn't formed my own worldview. The ideal professions I could think of were nothing more than teacher, doctor, or policeman. My parents were teachers, so I thought being a teacher might be the epitome of success.

Later, my father passed away, and our family's financial situation worsened. My mother hoped I would go to a teacher's college. She thought that becoming a teacher after graduation would provide a stable job and eliminate worries about making a living. As a child, I actually had my own dreams; I loved drawing and wanted to become an artist. Because I often scribbled on walls as a child, I felt I might become an artist. I once considered applying to the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, but my mother insisted I go to a teacher's college. Her thinking was simple: she wanted me to have a stable job and not be a farmer for life. So I listened to her and chose a teacher's college.

At teachers' college, I began to be exposed to a wider world. For example, in junior high school, my deskmate won first place in the school's speech contest. I didn't know what a speech was before because I had never seen one. After seeing it, I realized, "Oh, this is what a speech is." Later, at teachers' college, I won first place in my first speech contest.

Host: You had never given a speech before, so how did you learn?

He Yi:

I didn't specifically study it; I just watched other people give speeches and thought, "Oh, so that's what giving a speech is like. It doesn't seem that difficult."

Host: It sounds like you encourage yourself to try new things, and you don't think "I can't do it," but rather "It's just like that, I can do it too."

He Yi:

Yes, that's roughly it. When I was little, I saw someone win first place in a speech competition, and I thought, "I can try that too," even if I'd never done it before. Later, I had another interesting experience. A classmate said his dream was to become a model, and he signed up for a modeling competition. He encouraged me to try, so I signed up. The competition was divided into print and professional runway categories, and I actually won an award of excellence and even made it to the Sichuan provincial competition. Looking back now, I think it was probably just to make money off my registration fee.

Host: But did that experience give you a lot of confidence?

He Yi:

Actually, no, I just thought I'd give it a try. I wasn't concerned about winning or losing; I just thought it would be fun. I was very curious when I was little. For example, if I watched a movie about Miss America or a beauty pageant, I really wanted to become Miss America.

Host: When you were little, you saw things that seemed glamorous and interesting, and you wanted to try them out. I'm also a very curious person, so I can understand. But after participating in competitions, I get anxious about winning or losing, like I absolutely have to win an award or achieve something. Do you put that kind of pressure on yourself?

He Yi:

No. I think it's okay to lose; the important thing is to learn something from the process. For example, you might notice how graceful other dancers walk during rehearsals, and wonder why they have such poise and elegance. Then I realize that I might need to adjust my posture as well. I believe you can learn from failures; winning is great, of course, but losing is fine too.

Host : But does this attitude towards winning and losing need to be trained to develop? When we were young, everyone wanted to win, but as we grow up, we gradually realize that life is not about winning.

He Yi :

No, I think it's probably because my starting point was relatively low, so I felt that losing was normal, and winning was an extra bonus.

The opportunity to enter the television station

Host : Later you got into television, which sounds like an interesting story. Many people dream of working in television when they're young because seeing someone on TV seems so successful. Your story of getting into television sounds more like a legend.

He Yi :

There was a girl named Wang Danqing. I met her when we were discussing a business collaboration. One day, she called me and said, "I'm currently working on a program with a satellite TV station, in collaboration with Sunshine Media. They're holding auditions. I think you're perfect for it, why don't you give it a try?" I remember I was standing on the subway when I answered the phone; the signal was intermittent, and I was watching the Beijing subway rushing past me. I thought to myself, I'm 25 years old, not a professionally trained host, and my Mandarin isn't standard. How could I possibly audition to be a host? But she said, "We don't want that broadcasting tone; we want a natural and authentic style. I think you're perfect for it, why don't you give it a try?" So I went to the audition.

In the first and second rounds of auditions, I felt my performance was just average. But because Danqing was the director, she strongly insisted on my continued advancement. Then one day she told me, "Our producer has resigned. The producer can manage the money, so I'm going to tell the station's chief producer my resignation. If he tries to keep me, I'll say I want to be the producer. What do you think?" At the time, I thought it made sense, but I didn't understand how TV stations operated and had never done any related work. I was just a contestant then, and I didn't expect her to actually resign. The next day she called to tell me, "They approved it." She also said, "Your chances are probably gone." I thought to myself, since it's already failed once, there's nothing to be disappointed about if it fails a second time; you don't really feel like you've lost anything.

Unexpectedly, they still notified me to participate in the finals. The finals were held in the Sunshine Media office. Everyone drew lots to determine their topics, then had two minutes to prepare before giving their presentations. After the presentations, there was a Q&A session with cameras pointed at us. First, there was a self-introduction; I can't remember what I said because the content depended on the topic I drew. But I remember the Q&A session very clearly. At the time, I didn't expect this opportunity to be mine; I thought I might be eliminated. They asked me, "What advantages do you have that make you a good host?" I replied, "I have a psychology background. Although I haven't finished my master's degree, I'm quite empathetic and can communicate with different people. Second, I've studied makeup, which will save me the cost of a makeup artist. Third, I don't care about the salary because this job is very interesting; it's a travel program. Someone pays you to go on a trip and gives you a salary—it's perfect!" After saying that, I went back, feeling certain I would fail. The other candidates were all beauty pageant winners, model champions, or already famous celebrities. I thought to myself, this time I definitely have no chance.

Because the other candidates were all beauty pageant winners, model champions, or already established celebrities, I thought I had no chance and gave up hope. Then one day, I suddenly received a call from a new producer, Sister Mu, who wanted to sign me. I was very surprised. It seems they value practicality, probably because I'm down-to-earth, not pretentious, and can do my own makeup.

Looking back now, I feel incredibly grateful for everything, from Danqing and Sister Mu to my time working at the TV station. Many people say the entertainment or television industry is complicated, but for me, that experience is a wonderful memory.

The event that brought He Yi to tears and its underlying meaning

Host : I've worked in television myself, and I've seen many things that really touched me. You know, in situations like these, it's bound to be a good story.

He Yi :

Looking back now, the days I spent working with my grassland sisters were truly wonderful. Like Jiawei, Gaomei, and Bingjie, we were all around the same age. We spent a year or two laughing and joking every day, creating many happy memories. They always said, "Hurry up and film, then we'll go back and play mahjong." They really took good care of me.

Host : Because I work at a TV station, I always imagine that everyone is actually quite calculating. After all, opportunities are very limited, and everyone is vying for even a small chance to get ahead.

He Yi :

That's true, but it's probably because I'm doing a field program, not a pre-recorded one. We go to many remote rural areas, places that might not be popular with other hosts. But I really enjoy this kind of work. The directors on the team are almost all very talented and young people, so we're happy every day, filled with laughter.

Host : I thought you would tell me how tough the experience was, but you didn't mention any of that.

He Yi :

There were definitely challenges, like hiking trips and my partner—a middle-aged man. We actually only gradually developed chemistry after filming two or three episodes. He has his own style, and I have mine. He's a very artistic guy who always says, "I can't live without Wi-Fi and coffee." Everywhere we go, he talks about how long the history is and compares it to the hundreds of countries he's visited. I, on the other hand, am more of an experience-oriented person; I love going up mountains and down to the sea, doing all sorts of physical labor, like digging lotus roots in the mud. Hiking is usually my job, while horseback riding is his. Although sometimes we need to hike, he can ride a horse, while I can only walk.

I think this division of labor is quite reasonable, because we each have our own strengths. If it were bungee jumping, I'd definitely go, and he'd say, "No, no, no, I never do anything that threatens my life." This contrast is really endearing. And because he's a little older, we gradually developed a rapport during the process. Since we were a male-female team, regardless of whether we were vying for the spotlight, everyone ultimately got their chance to shine. So there was no backstabbing or scheming between us; instead, we created many happy memories. Although the work was tough, those days of finding joy even in hardship when we were young are truly worth cherishing.

He Yi's experience entering the cryptocurrency world

Host : How did you transition from your previous experience to joining the cryptocurrency industry? That sounds like a big shift.

He Yi :

We filmed that show for a year, traveling to almost every part of China. The following year, thanks to my on-screen experience, I started getting new opportunities, such as invitations from other TV stations or programs. I had two choices at the time, and the story is quite interesting.

One opportunity came from a producer introduced by a friend. She was formerly the CFO of a company, achieving financial freedom through entrepreneurship, and later developed a dream of making films and television. She wrote a novel about striving for success and wanted to adapt it into a TV series. She then founded a film and television company, writing her own scripts and planning to film her own entrepreneurial story. Her company wanted to sign actors. She interviewed many girls but felt none of them quite fit her image of an entrepreneur. Then she met me and offered to sign me, but on the condition that I remove a mole on my chin. She felt my appearance didn't quite match her ideal. Furthermore, the offer was a fixed monthly salary, not high, and limited financial resources. I felt something was off, so I hesitated.

Around that time, in 2013, the price of Bitcoin broke through $1,000. I knew a VC investor named Mike McGonagall, who asked me to help him create an advertisement for a Bitcoin trading company. He didn't mention payment, so I asked, "What is Bitcoin?" I started researching it myself, reading the white paper online. After reading it, I found the concept of Bitcoin incredibly novel, because it was the first time I truly understood the essence of "money." When I was a child, everyone always told me money was important, but no one explained what money actually was. Through Bitcoin, it was as if a new world had opened up for me.

So I wrote a short article for him, created a free advertisement, and posted it on my WeChat Moments with pictures. That temporarily put the matter at hand. Later, I secured a contract with a film company and also completed the Bitcoin advertising campaign. Mai Gang organized a karaoke event, inviting everyone who helped with the advertising to participate, and prepared some small gifts, the most expensive of which was an iPad.

During the event, I met Star, and we talked about Bitcoin. Mai Gang said to Star, "Aren't you looking for a marketing director? He Yi would be a perfect fit." Star then told me, "Come to our company next week to discuss it and see if you're interested in joining." At that time, I had two choices, and I felt I still had an entrepreneurial spirit. The startup and angel investment environment in China was very active then, and I wanted to join a startup and experience the entrepreneurial process firsthand. This was my entry into the cryptocurrency world.

Persuade CZ to join the startup

Host : So you were the one who convinced CZ to join the startup, right? After he left his previous company, you also chose to join his team. What were your conversations like at the time? How did you convince him? And how did he convince you?

He Yi :

Actually, when CZ joined my team, I felt our market share had already reached a certain scale. At that time, he might have had some minor disagreements with his previous company. I told him, "Look, you have a very strong trading background, but you're currently working on wallet services, which doesn't fully utilize your talents and abilities. We're an exchange; you've been trading for so many years, accumulating rich experience and are very skilled at designing trading systems. Why not continue trading? That's where you're most natural and best suited." I think that was the key to convincing him.

Why did you decide to become a partner?

Host : Starting your own business and becoming your own boss involves taking on such significant risks, which usually makes people hesitate. So why did you decide to become a partner?

He Yi :

This decision is actually closely related to my professional experience. Before joining Binance, I worked at Yixia Technology for about a year and a half . At that time, I was in charge of marketing , including mobile products such as live streaming, Miaopai, and Xiaokaixiu. Back then, we were even larger than Douyin, and we could be said to be in a leading position in the industry.

At that time, I felt that life truly had its own destiny. Once, something quite interesting happened. When I was working at Yixia Technology, one day my alarm clock didn't go off, or I didn't hear it, and I overslept. That day, our shareholder, Jiang Nanchun, the founder of Focus Media, was coming to the company to give a presentation on marketing, and I was the person in charge of marketing. I was more than half an hour late, which left a bad impression on the shareholder.

Focus Media is one of our investors; they primarily operate elevator advertising. In return, we need to allocate a portion of our funds to their advertising campaigns. I was in charge of ad placement and was extremely meticulous about details, such as the suitability of the ad's location, the timing, and even whether a movie ad was the first or last in a film – all of these significantly impacted the ad's effectiveness. I frequently argued with the Focus Media team about these details, sometimes to the point of putting immense pressure on them. I felt they might be somewhat dissatisfied with me, so they recommended a new senior manager to the company's management as my direct supervisor.

At that time, the company was close to going public. We had signed many agreements, including options, equity, and IPO preparations. We had also hired a formal CFO to be in charge of the IPO preparations. But at this stage, a new boss suddenly appeared above me, which made me a little unhappy.

Furthermore, my work style is very results-oriented; I'm used to doing things to the extreme. At work, I won't compromise because someone holds a higher position or is a shareholder or partner in the company; I always stick to my professional judgment. While this style has led to excellent work performance, it has also caused tension in my relationships with some colleagues. Perhaps because I haven't worked in large companies, I'm not very good at handling complex interpersonal relationships, but my focus on results makes my work style very direct.

Just then, CZ contacted me, saying he planned to launch an ICO and had already written a white paper, asking if I could serve as an advisor. I told him, "I won't sign my name on a document I don't fully understand. If you want me to be an advisor, I must be genuinely involved." So I asked him to send me the white paper. At the time, I was in Shanghai attending the Weibo Influencer Festival and spent the weekend revising the white paper. About a third of the first draft was written by me personally.

At the time, I didn't consider compensation; I just wanted to get the job done first. This might reflect one of my work values—focusing on the task at hand rather than considering personal gain from the outset. Later, when I returned to Beijing, CZ tentatively asked if I would like to join his team, but I didn't pay much attention. I remember telling him, "I'm too expensive; you probably can't afford me." This was actually a soft rejection, because Binance was just a small startup at the time, its business wasn't fully developed, and its funds were very limited.

Shortly after, they raised approximately $100 million through an ICO. CZ contacted me again and told me, "We have the funds now, and we can talk about cooperation." The night before Binance listed BNB on July 14th, he called me and said, "BNB is going to be listed tomorrow. If the price of BNB increases tenfold after listing, I won't be able to give you the same offer. So you either agree today, or we'll have to renegotiate later."

At the time, I did face a choice: stay with my previous company and wait for a visible IPO opportunity, or join Binance and embark on a new journey. Ultimately, I chose Binance because I was confident in my abilities. I had previously successfully built a top brand in China, and this time I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could build a top-tier exchange globally. Although Binance hadn't launched yet, I already had a clear goal: to develop Binance into a top global exchange.

Actually, I had other opportunities at the time, but I ultimately chose Binance. One reason was that CZ had an international background, while most of the other opportunities were with Chinese companies whose teams had limited international reach. I wanted to participate in a project with a more global perspective and challenge myself to achieve higher goals.

Crypto Queen's Top Communication Philosophy

Host: I think you all have a really good eye for people. You've both done an outstanding job, going from zero to one, and then from one to a thousand. What I admire most about you is that you speak softly, but you're incredibly decisive in your actions. You stand firm when you need to, and you don't back down when it's time to fight back.

This is called setting boundaries. How do you clearly tell someone what is right, while maintaining a gentle yet firm approach?

He Yi :

Actually, that's not the case. When I was younger, my communication style was very direct, even bordering on indiscriminate. It's pretty much the same now; I haven't become much softer. Many people say I'm a very difficult person to deal with.

Host : But it's precisely this style that has allowed you to reach the top level, right?

He Yi:

Yes. To be at the top, you must have clear requirements and standards. If your attitude towards things is just "good enough" or "good enough is fine," you won't reach the top. I can demand the best of myself, but as my number of employees grows, maintaining that culture within the company becomes extremely important.

My approach is simple: I point out problems directly when I find them, and I delegate those I miss to others. I believe the core issue lies in recruitment. First, do you hire people whose values align with yours? The world isn't black and white. Some people might perform poorly at your company but excel at others. Therefore, the most important thing during recruitment is whether the person fits your company culture.

The burdens that successful women must bear

Host : I'm sure you've attended many important occasions where many women are accompanying successful people, and you are the successful one. Many people might mistakenly assume that a woman appearing at such a gathering of successful people must be someone's family member.

In this age of information overload, the ability to discern information has become especially important. There may be countless trending topics in the world, but the key is knowing which ones are relevant to you. Everyone will have different feelings about the same content, right?

He Yi :

I believe that as a woman, whether you choose to be a devoted wife and mother, a good mother, or a housewife, it's all a choice, and these roles aren't easy to excel at . If you strive for perfection, these choices can be incredibly challenging. But for me , I chose to be myself. This is both an active and passive choice. It's passive because I wasn't born a princess, so I had to overcome difficulties and grow through my own efforts. In this process, you'll find yourself becoming more resilient and stronger. And only when you are strong enough can you truly understand what kind of life you want.

Some people may choose to return to family life after achieving success in their careers. They may feel they have proven themselves in the business world or in a male-dominated environment, but ultimately find that they prefer being a mother or wife. I think this is their choice, and the premise of this choice is that they have tried different lifestyles and know what they truly like and dislike.

Balancing Motherhood and Career Woman Roles

Host : In your case, how can you perfectly balance your identity as a mother and your role in the workplace?

He Yi :

I don't think this is an either-or choice . Actually, I thoroughly enjoy the process of being a mother. Although I often see discussions about anxieties surrounding childbirth online, such as the potential physical changes, pain, and irreversible damage, I believe being a mother is a wonderful thing. The phrase "A mother's strength is boundless" perfectly encapsulates my feelings; I feel this is a significant transformation in my life.

Yesterday, someone asked me what I do when I'm under a lot of pressure? How do I cope when I'm feeling down? I think it's not that my child needs me, but that I need my child. As a mother, you feel the need to become stronger and more resilient because you bear the responsibility of protecting your child. This strength seems to be innate, a natural instinct written in our DNA.

Regarding the topic of anxiety about childbirth, I believe women don't need to be overly afraid of giving birth. Firstly, modern medical technologies, such as spinal anesthesia, can effectively alleviate labor pain, making the birthing process more controllable. Secondly, because I have many female employees, I specifically wrote a "birth guide" (playbook) covering precautions during pregnancy, psychological preparation, and postpartum childcare. This playbook was later supplemented and improved by my colleagues, becoming a useful resource. I usually share this playbook with colleagues when I learn they are pregnant. I plan to make this playbook an internal company resource so that more employees can benefit.

I didn't take maternity leave after giving birth; instead, I went straight back to work. Many people ask me if I experienced postpartum depression, but my answer is that I simply didn't have time to be depressed . Because my work was so demanding, almost all my energy was devoted to it.

He Yi's views on her achievements

Host : If you look back when you're 90 or 100, what kind of memories will make you the happiest? Your achievements, your business empire, or some special event?

He Yi:

I think the most important thing in life is "since we're here, let's make the most of this life." If you ask me what I cherish most right now, I would still choose my family.

Advice from successful women on choosing a partner

Host : We have many male friends in our circle who, when choosing a partner, might hope to find successful women, but successful women are often considered more difficult to pursue. In the past, people might have thought women should be gentle and virtuous, but now many people ask, "If you're so difficult, how do I even pursue you?" Can you give them some advice? For example, how to pursue a successful woman like yourself? Not specifically about you, but about successful women in general. Because I think women often have a tendency to admire strength. If a man is already very accomplished, how can he give a woman the space to leverage her strengths while making her feel comfortable?

He Yi :

Only outstanding men can be with outstanding women.

Well, I think only truly outstanding men can be with outstanding women. This "outstanding" doesn't just refer to success in wealth or career, but also to maturity in understanding. There are indeed differences between people, but these differences can be gradually narrowed or even reversed through time and effort.

I remember a quote from my teacher: "The money people earn is all cognitive money." This statement resonated deeply with me. A person's level of cognition not only determines how they accumulate wealth but also influences their social network. In other words, your interpersonal relationships are based on your level of cognition. The deeper your understanding of the world, the more high-quality interpersonal relationships you can build. And this quality of life is not just reflected in whether you are rich or what kind of car you drive, but more importantly, whether you have inner peace and contentment.

Therefore, I believe that if a man cannot provide value to a woman on a cognitive level, why would she need him? Similarly, if a man is very successful and outstanding, then the woman needs to consider what she can offer him. Often, we shouldn't always be thinking about what we can get from the other person, but rather what we can offer them first. Only when both parties can create value in the relationship can it truly be lasting and healthy.

Expectations for Binance's future

Host : What kind of company do you think Binance will become in the future?

He Yi :

I hope Binance can grow into an Amazon rainforest . The Amazon rainforest is full of life, where every plant can grow freely, forming a diverse and sustainable ecosystem. I hope Binance can also become such a place, a garden where everyone can grow freely.

Traditional company structures are often triangular, with the boss at the top issuing orders and subordinates simply carrying out tasks. However, I'm working to transform Binance into a garden-like organization. In this garden, everyone can have their own voice and room to grow. Many newcomers to Binance, especially those in management, may be confused: why does everyone seem like a boss? This is because we want everyone to proactively grow and find their place. If you're not strong enough, you might be overshadowed by others; but if you are strong enough, you can grow into a towering tree in this garden.

My vision is for Binance to eventually become a rainforest, where every employee can grow into a towering tree, building a rich and powerful ecosystem. In this organizational structure, whether I am the CEO or not is not important. I hope that in the future, Binance will have more true partners who collectively support the company, rather than relying on me alone. I may just be a supporting point at the bottom of this structure. My goal is to make Binance a place where everyone can realize their potential, rather than relying on the leadership of any one person.

Host : When I first looked at Binance's structure, you and CZ were always the face of Binance. But now you've become CEO, what's the logic behind that?

He Yi :

Actually, I don't think it's important whether I'm the CEO or not. Many people congratulate me, saying, "Congratulations, you've finally become the CEO." But I think it has nothing to do with the title, but rather with how much responsibility you take on and how many tasks you shoulder.

I often discuss the logic of promotion with everyone. Many people think, "I want a promotion, I want a higher position." But my view is that you first need to possess the skills required for that position, and you will naturally obtain that title. Of course, sometimes your boss will promote you to take on broader responsibilities. If you can take on this challenge and do it well, that's great; but if you can't, you may fail.

Personally, I prefer to achieve results first and then take on responsibilities, so whether or not I'm CEO isn't important to me. The decision to appoint me as CEO is likely primarily to instill confidence in everyone during this bear market. For the past two years, we've been working hard to close gaps, such as strengthening communication with regulatory agencies, applying for licenses, and improving compliance standards. While this work has been challenging, we've been catching up for two years. I hope that by taking on the role of CEO, I can send a signal to the outside world: Binance's core values remain intact; for example, our "user-first" philosophy hasn't changed—this is our commitment to the entire industry and our users.

Why is He Yi happy to respond to netizens?

Host : You're already at the top globally, but the scarcest resource is time, and I consider myself "time-poor." At Binance Blockchain Week, I saw that wherever you went, people were eager to take photos or chat with you—a necessary process to become truly successful and popular . But I'm curious, you must cherish your time and energy, right? Why are you still willing to respond to netizens on Twitter?

He Yi :

I occasionally respond to netizens, depending on the nature of the issue. If someone points out a problem at work, we admit our mistakes and promptly improve where we fall short. This is a reasonable process. If someone suggests areas for improvement in the company or product, I consider this very meaningful feedback, and we take it seriously. However, many years ago, before 2019, my online reputation was almost entirely positive. Back then, I was younger and often argued with others in group chats. But later I realized that some people used arguments with me to attract attention, so I learned to avoid arguing as much as possible. When someone attacks me, I remind myself not to respond and not give them an opportunity.

Host : Is not responding the best response?

He Yi :

I think it's necessary to respond to important issues, but I'll choose to ignore unreasonable demands or those deliberately designed to generate traffic . Responding to such content only helps the other party generate traffic; they're just using you. Try to be more open-minded and just listen to the criticism. You can't make everyone like you. Just like not everyone likes the US dollar or the RMB. So you need to believe that those who support you will always support you, those who like you will still like you, and those who dislike you won't change their minds no matter how you explain yourself.

host :

I think learning to accept "haters" definitely takes time and practice. At first, seeing negative comments online could be very upsetting. Some criticisms are completely unreasonable, such as attacks on your gender, birth, nationality, etc. These things are meaningless, but they still affect my mood.

He Yi :

Since this content is meaningless, don't bother with it.

Host : Is it possible to completely ignore these negative comments?

He Yi :

It's actually quite difficult to completely ignore it. If you don't look at it at all, you might miss out on valuable information, such as understanding the company's stage of development and the problems with its products. So now I focus more on practical issues on social media, rather than emotional content. As for whether others like me or criticize me, that's beyond my control, right?

Host : Do you ever stand in front of a mirror and tell yourself, "I just need to like myself"?

He Yi :

There's no need to tell yourself; I think the key is to accept yourself. People easily view problems with binary thinking, such as "I am good, he is bad; I am right, he is wrong." But this kind of thinking is incorrect. Look at the world more rationally: you are a microcosm, and the world is a larger universe. In these two universes, you need to accept your own imperfections, and also accept the imperfections of the world. Just as there is night and day, you need to accept the good and the bad that come your way, because these experiences ultimately shape who you are today. I once said when I was young, " Enjoy what fate gives you." Looking back now, I understand this statement much more deeply.

What is the relationship between He Yi and her mother?

Host : Looking back now, do you feel that the environment you were born into was relatively difficult, and your family also had a hard time? Now that you can provide them with a better life, do you feel that you have done a great job?

He Yi :

Actually, no. If we look at it from God's perspective, we are just a speck of dust in the universe, insignificant. Heaven and earth are impartial, creating all things without regard to anything else. So, although I've done quite well in some aspects, I consider myself simply someone who has been lucky and hardworking.

Of course, I do feel a sense of accomplishment when I see my family living a better life and enjoying things they've never experienced before. I'm a rather simple person, and so is my mother. For example, we still habitually buy things on Taobao, and our lives remain simple.

Host : Did your mother ever have any particular desires when she was a child that you can now easily provide for her?

He Yi :

No. My mother's expectations were simple; she thought it would be great if I could become a rural teacher. So every step I've taken has actually exceeded her expectations. She must be proud of me, but in her eyes, you'll always be that little child who needs care. No matter how old you are, in your parents' hearts you'll always be a child.

My relationship with my mother wasn't very close when I was a child. After my father passed away, my mother became emotionally unstable. She was a middle-aged woman at the time, with elderly parents to support and a group of children to raise, facing immense pressure and consequently, a rather volatile temper. So, in my memory, there wasn't much of a close mother-daughter interaction during my childhood.

I think this is a typical characteristic of parents of our generation. They weren't used to educating their children through encouragement or praise, but rather through suppression. However, this educational approach had an unexpected effect on me. The more I was suppressed, the more motivated I became to grow. So I consider myself an "exception" who grew up under this suppressive education. After I turned 18 and started earning money, I started sending money to my mother, hugging her, and buying her things. It was only then that my parents gradually learned how to express their love more directly.

My mother is a very strong person; otherwise, how could she have supported this family? She not only held up the family but has also always supported me. We used to live together, and we still live together now.

Host : When you communicate with your children, how do you tell them how their mother got through it?

He Yi :

I would tell them, "If you don't eat properly, Mom will take you to Nepal for a month so you can see how those poor children live." They would then say they didn't want to go. I think because my mother was quite strict with me when I was young, I now pay more attention to expressing my love for my children in a warm way, often saying sweet words to them.

Host : Are your children a stress reliever for you? For example, do you hug them when you're stressed?

He Yi :

Yes, seeing my child's smiling face makes all the stress disappear. And because of my child, I feel I need to be stronger to protect more people. I won't set any ironclad rules for them, like requiring them to grow up in a certain way to succeed. I believe educating children should be about guidance, not coercion. Let flowers bloom naturally, let trees grow naturally.

Whether it's children, parents, friends, or even partners, I believe everyone is inherently an independent individual. No one can completely depend on another person. But when you are strong enough, you are like a continent, capable of supporting them.

Host : Do you need others to understand you? Or do you feel you don't?

He Yi:

Actually, I don't think you need too much understanding. As long as you are strong enough—not that you have to think you are strong, but you can accept misunderstandings between people, accept differences in ideas, and at the same time know who you are and where you are going—that's enough.

Advice for everyone who wants to succeed

Host : If you could go back to when you first entered society and talk to yourself, what would you say to yourself?

He Yi :

If I were speaking to someone else, I would advise them to be braver . As for myself, there's not much to say, because I've always been rather reckless . My past experiences, good or bad, are all important parts of who I am today . Every failure, every pitfall, has taught me something. If I hadn't spent so much time groping my way through those pitfalls, I probably wouldn't have the understanding I have today.

Just like playing a game, you might get stuck on a certain level, trying repeatedly until you find a new solution. This process not only hones your patience but also strengthens your resilience. It's as if God deals you the same hand of cards repeatedly; if you keep playing poorly, you'll be stuck until you find a new strategy. And when you succeed, He'll give you an even more difficult hand.

Host : You just mentioned advising others to be braver, and I completely agree. Many people are afraid to step out of their comfort zone and try things they're not familiar with.

He Yi :

Often, we limit ourselves, for example, by asking, "As a female executive, how do I balance family and career?" I think I balance it fairly well. When you see it as a challenge, or even an impossible triangle, you become limited by that kind of thinking. But if you believe you can do it, it ceases to be a problem.

For example, when I was a child, I could never have imagined standing on an international stage, expressing myself in a language I didn't understand. But now, I often stand on stage speaking English, even if my grammar and vocabulary aren't perfect, as long as the meaning is right. I don't like preparing speeches in advance, and I don't have time to design PowerPoint presentations. I just think about what I want to say on the spot and then go on stage to deliver it.

Host : I think you have a strong heart; these external evaluations aren't a problem for you. I was just thinking about how you're so moved by things like these mentors. Finally, let's summarize: who are the mentors in your life that you feel you might not be where you are today without them?

He Yi :

Along the way, I have met many benefactors, even those who criticized me or were considered "haters." They were actually benefactors because they made me reflect and grow.