Interview with Bybit's Chinese-speaking Lead: "Zero-minute Response" – From Meme to Realistic Goal
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Interview with Bybit's Chinese-speaking Lead: "Zero-minute Response" – From Meme to Realistic Goal
"Enabling users to earn money is Bybit's true core appeal to users."
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsWritten by: TechFlow
The competition among exchanges is intensifying, with top-tier platforms engaging in fierce internal competition across product features, marketing, and service responsiveness.
Amid Bybit's launch of U.S. stock trading functionality and its community buzz around "0-minute response," TechFlow sat down for an in-depth and vivid conversation with Tina, Bybit’s newly appointed Head of Chinese-speaking Markets.
From being an internet traffic entrepreneur in traditional web2, to building OKX’s entire growth system from the ground up over six years, and now leading Bybit’s “0-minute response” initiative—Tina embodies not only professionalism, discipline, and sharp market insight, but also a passionate pursuit of efficiently connecting with users and delivering superior service.
On quickly adapting to Bybit’s pace shortly after officially joining, Tina shared:
I was deeply moved by Ben and Helen’s respect for employees, and Bybit’s full delegation of authority and support truly activated me.
Regarding the widely-memed “0-minute response” phenomenon, Tina offered a fresh perspective on turning jokes into reality:
Although “0-minute response” started as a joke, it has now become a real goal for Bybit. Our team will treat this as the standard going forward—if we fail to meet it, feel free to reach out to me directly. And every meme raised by Chinese-speaking users will become a target for our growth!
As for Bybit’s upcoming moves in the Chinese-speaking market, Tina revealed:
Enabling users to earn money is Bybit’s true core appeal. We are committed to helping users profit through diverse financial services—such as identifying high-quality assets; developing various trading and wealth management products; offering rich rewards and competitions; and providing powerful financial combinations and arbitrage opportunities, which are our key advantages. In the future, we will open maximum access for users—including custom arbitrage products tailored for traders. Through deep engagement with trading users, we’ll continuously optimize Bybit’s trading products so we can all profit together.
In this feature, let’s dive into Bybit’s growth strategy, talent approach, and product evolution amid the escalating battle among leading exchanges—all through Tina’s eyes.
Key Takeaways:
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Engaging via social media is currently one of the best ways for newcomers to enter crypto. You should first learn how to present and express yourself in this industry—to demonstrate your understanding, learning ability, and resilience under pressure.
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Individual IPs are growing increasingly influential—potentially surpassing institutions. Consider increasing investment and focus on personal branding moving forward.
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We’re entering a brand era led by professionals. Brands bring greater user confidence, network effects are becoming more pronounced, and regulatory compliance will accelerate industry de-bubbling. The entry of traditional finance professionals will bring more capital, challenges, and growth to crypto.
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Offline events must achieve both brand impact and performance results. For effective word-of-mouth marketing, focus on whether invitees are precisely targeted, content is deeply insightful, and there are concrete pathways toward future collaboration.
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Bybit may not have emphasized marketing before, but it deeply understands trading. Its core logic centers on helping employees, users, and partners earn money.
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At Bybit, when you want to take action, all resources converge to support those who aim to make things happen.
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Bybit’s upcoming initiatives in the Chinese-speaking market include three aspects: first, partnering extensively to rapidly expand distribution channels; second, significantly upgrading both online and offline service quality; third, clearly addressing core issues—continuously iterating on “how to help users earn money.”
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The U.S. stock trading feature operates via CFDs, differing from direct U.S. stock investments. Bybit opens a channel for users to leverage crypto market advantages to invest in gold, forex, and U.S. stocks—now allowing direct investment using USDT held in their Bybit accounts.
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While “0-minute response” began as a joke, it has evolved into a genuine Bybit goal. We will deploy AI-powered customer service bots and other measures to turn this joke into reality—reach out to me anytime if we fall short.
From 0 to 1: Offline Events Gave Me Real Access to the Chinese-Speaking Market
TechFlow: To start, could Tina introduce yourself? We’re curious about your journey into crypto.
Tina:
Hello everyone, I’m Tina, Head of Chinese-speaking Markets at Bybit.
My crypto journey is quite straightforward—I spent six years at OKX. From 2015 to 2018, I ran a web2 startup focused on marketing growth and traffic services. At that time, OKX was seeking experienced professionals from traditional internet sectors in branding and growth, so I joined.
When I joined OKX, I was new to the industry. I asked myself: what could I contribute? Back then, the “101” series was popular in China, so I launched the “OK Innovation 101” campaign, aiming to position OKX as an ecosystem platform. My team of three traveled across many Chinese-speaking cities, hosting over 20 events annually, each drawing hundreds of attendees—connecting us directly with local users, media, communities, and entrepreneurs. Through this process, I genuinely came to understand crypto, immersed myself in the Chinese-speaking user base, and quickly integrated into the industry.
After integration, I began executing specific business strategies. At the time, exchanges primarily focused on institutional and VIP clients. But coming from internet background, I clearly understood the value retail users bring to platform operations, so I built a complete retail-focused growth system. I brought in top-tier web2 traffic partners and promoted OKX’s node commission program through city ambassadors. Many doubted it at first—thinking you’d have to beg people to join—but I went around evangelizing, explaining how this intermediary model could generate compounding income over time. Eventually, nearly everyone in the industry became aware of it. Many early adopters earned substantial profits, and other exchanges began actively launching similar commission programs. Along the way, I also introduced many non-crypto-native internet traffic providers into the crypto space.
That summarizes my six years at OKX—centered on growth and user services. I established a comprehensive user acquisition framework and nurtured many outstanding talents, who today serve as key figures across top exchanges.
In April 2024, I left OKX. Seeing the rapid rise of DEX and on-chain trading, I saw a great opportunity and started another venture in on-chain trading, focusing again on market and growth strategy.
This past April, I attended Bybit’s event in Bali. Interacting with Bybit’s core team, I realized the platform’s development speed and overall strengths far exceeded my expectations. That’s when I decided to join Bybit and embark on a new chapter in my career.
TechFlow: Previously, I believed offline events weren’t cost-effective—they require significant effort but reach fewer people compared to online events. Yet lately, many projects are competing heavily in offline marketing, and some offline events indeed break through bottlenecks.
Could you share your thoughts on the core advantages of offline marketing? Why are so many teams investing heavily in offline activities now?
Tina:
First, the Chinese-speaking market faces many limitations in public-domain promotion. Sensitive or important topics often cannot be openly discussed online, but they can be addressed in private or offline settings—that’s where offline and private channels shine.
Second, we can distinguish between two types of marketing: public-facing campaigns and word-of-mouth marketing. Knowing someone is good and choosing to collaborate with them are entirely different paths. Many brands do offline events, but if done poorly, it can backfire.
For example, does merely sponsoring someone else’s event count as word-of-mouth marketing? I don’t think so. To succeed in word-of-mouth marketing, three factors are critical: Are your invitees precisely targeted? Is your content sufficiently deep? Do you have actionable follow-ups for future collaboration? Offline events must deliver both brand value and measurable outcomes—or they’re simply wasted effort.
Lastly, I believe online and offline efforts should work together synergistically. When we host offline events, we simultaneously amplify them online—gathering materials, encouraging participants and KOLs to share content. This integrated workflow delivers strong ROI in both exposure and conversion.
Social Engagement Is the Best Entry Path for Newcomers; No Limits Is Bybit’s Talent Strategy
TechFlow: I also attended the Bali event—it had a great atmosphere, and conversations felt authentic.
You mentioned earlier that you entered crypto with little prior experience—essentially starting from zero. Today, as crypto gains broader attention, what advice would you give newcomers trying to break into the space?
Tina:
Many ask me this. I’ve noticed countless new crypto entrants flooding job-seeking sections on platforms like Xiaohongshu. I personally receive many such messages. I believe integrating through social engagement is currently one of the best ways for newcomers to enter crypto. Web3 operates very differently from Web2. Its decentralized foundation allows everyone to freely express opinions. So you should first learn to showcase and articulate yourself—proving your analytical thinking, learning agility, and stress tolerance. You could become a micro-influencer or community moderator—these roles effectively demonstrate individual capabilities.
Of course, this applies more to brand-adjacent roles. For technical positions, crypto offers many hackathons and meetups—especially from major blockchains. For instance, Solana recently hosted Demo Days in China, creating highly developer-friendly environments.
But I’ve observed a trend: many candidates rush too quickly. With foundational skills still lacking, they anxiously target top firms, spamming applications or relying on connections. I’d suggest taking time to build substance. Your resume needs standout elements—something remarkable that aligns closely with the role. For BD roles, relevant client networks matter; for tech roles, hands-on R&D experience is essential. Only then will companies consider giving you a chance. Some newcomers with strong social accounts are even fiercely recruited by multiple firms.
TechFlow: Speaking of which, there’s been much discussion recently about Bybit’s management trainee program. Could you share insights into Bybit’s talent strategy?
Tina:
Since I’ve only recently joined, my understanding of Bybit’s talent programs isn’t fully comprehensive. But based on my objective observations, Bybit’s talent initiatives are fascinating—possibly setting a new benchmark for career ceilings.
First, Bybit’s age diversity stands out: Crypto tends to favor youth—and indeed, Bybit’s top-performing salesperson in the Chinese-speaking region is a post-00s generation member, and our management includes many young talents, offering great opportunities. But at the same time, we also have many team members from the 80s and 70s. Our talent structure is rich and inclusive. We have zero bias against age or background—even mothers facing workplace stereotypes are welcomed and given chances to excel if capable.
Additionally, Bybit maintains a flat organizational structure. Whether you’re a management trainee or a new BD, as long as you deliver results, Bybit won’t cap your growth—the ceiling is nearly unimaginable. Moreover, managerial roles don’t inherently command higher income or power than frontline roles. Many of our BDs earn significantly more than managers—sometimes astonishingly so.
Bybit’s talent strategy forms such an ecosystem: leadership generously rewards excellence, yet swiftly adjusts mismatches. Among all companies I’ve worked for, Bybit takes the boldest approach—one that energizes teams and fosters vitality and creativity throughout the organization!
Rise of Personal IPs: Entering a Brand Era Led by Professionals
TechFlow: Earlier, you mentioned sensing a shift toward on-chain trends. Beyond that, what other transformations do you foresee in the crypto market? How should marketing strategies adapt accordingly?
Tina:
I see two major shifts worth noting.
One is the shift in influence: previously concentrated within institutions, influence is now shifting toward individuals. In this cycle—especially after the on-chain explosion—personal influence is strengthening, potentially matching or even surpassing institutions. Trump is a prime example: a multi-dimensional figure closely connected to users, easily resonating with audiences—a reflection of crypto’s decentralized consensus nature. We’re also seeing prominent figures on-chain curate projects for their trusted followers, almost like personal-led token listings, generating profits and sustainable returns for their communities.
This is a fascinating evolution. As marketers, we should consider increasing investment in cultivating personal brands. You’ll notice many exchanges—including ours—are increasingly spotlighting individuals. These individuals represent the brand behind them, sharing long-form essays or fragmented insights that quickly resonate with users and shape brand perception.
The second shift marks the beginning of a brand era led by professionals: Crypto today resembles Alibaba’s transition from Taobao to Tmall. Tmall rose rapidly within less than a year because Taobao’s brand momentum enabled more standardized, professionalized operations—marking the dawn of the brand era. Companies that neglected brand-building in the past must now prioritize it. Without doing so, they might enjoy short-term volatility-driven gains, but will likely vanish quickly.
For crypto, we must begin benchmarking against traditional business models—covering talent structures, business design, cash flow management, market strategies, and compounding cycle effects. Previously, due to crypto’s wild growth phase, these considerations were overlooked. Now, they’re essential.
Over the next two to three years, we’ll witness many bubbles burst—just as during the internet’s de-bubbling phase. Regulatory involvement will accelerate this cleansing process. The entry of seasoned professionals from traditional finance brings rigorous logic, mature experience, scale advantages, and compliance expertise—all fueling further growth and attracting more top-tier talent into crypto.
TechFlow: I’ve also noticed that top exchanges are becoming increasingly professionalized. It’s common now to see them hiring web2 engineers and product managers—they truly bring higher levels of expertise.
Also, from an exchange perspective, we’re seeing more emphasis on public-facing spokespersons—creating direct communication channels with users.
Tina:
I’m now striving to become a bridge between Bybit and Chinese-speaking users—hope you all support me, haha.
TechFlow: On the topic of personal IPs, this mirrors trends in traditional industries. A clear shift is that many formerly silent behind-the-scenes executives are now learning to build their own IPs—speaking out and expressing themselves on platforms like X.
A vivid example in traditional tech is Lei Jun. His powerful personal IP has greatly enhanced Xiaomi’s brand. Many fans of Lei Jun become fans of Xiaomi. He’s also become a crucial external voice for Xiaomi. Musk overseas follows a similar path—the underlying business logic is consistent.
Tina:
We tend to prefer multiple personal IPs and multiple touchpoints for user interaction. Many of our team members are happy to participate in Chinese-language interviews and engage directly with the community.
When You Want to Act, All Forces Converge Around You
TechFlow: After joining Bybit, how has your perception of the company changed compared to before? And do you think Chinese-speaking users hold any misconceptions about Bybit?
Tina:
So many! I admit I didn’t do enough homework beforehand. Before my first meeting at Bybit, while preparing background research, I was shocked to discover that Bybit has already been the world’s second-largest exchange since 2024.
The Bali event also highlighted several eye-opening moments where perceptions differed greatly.
First, depth: During the event, Bybit CEO Ben directly screen-shared comparisons of order book depths across exchanges. The result was incredibly impressive.
Second, product completeness: With just one Bybit account, I can access a wide range of financial assets. Currently, asset pegging methods remain quite crypto-native, but I believe this will improve significantly as regulations evolve. Bybit feels like Alipay—offering diverse financial services. You can buy crypto, various assets including U.S. stocks, and even use a card for offline spending. In terms of global financial infrastructure, Bybit excels.
Moreover, Bybit’s fundamental philosophy differs from my previous understanding of exchanges. Bybit’s core logic revolves around enabling employees, users, and partners to earn money. Bybit offers numerous financial arbitrage products and deeply understands trading. For example, the USDE yield product delivers better returns; the circular lending product maximizes capital efficiency; and various wealth management tools enable even beginners to achieve 20% annual returns—with skilled usage yielding even more. I believe once more people try Bybit’s products, they’ll quickly fall in love. Many institutions and large traders already favor our offerings.
Another critical point: many Chinese-speaking users form impressions of Bybit solely from fragmented tweets. In reality, we’re a humble, product-and-service-focused team. Bybit hasn’t traditionally been a strong marketer—we’re working hard to improve, and certainly doing better than before. In short, our mission is to build robust financial infrastructure to realize global financial freedom. Our teams span countries worldwide, driving financial inclusion.
TechFlow: You mentioned being moved by Ben and Helen’s respect for employees during your hiring process, and feeling energized after joining. Could you share specific examples that left a strong impression?
Tina:
Having experienced entrepreneurship in both web2 and web3, I’ve sensed that whether in traditional internet or crypto, management often follows rigid rules—or perhaps class hierarchies. But Bybit feels completely different.
During my first conversation with Ben and Helen, it wasn’t framed as “Would you like to work for me? Let me give you an opportunity.” Not at all. The dialogue was entirely equal. The leaders stood beside me, describing the vision, what they’d achieved, what they aimed to do next, and inviting me to co-build this journey. This subtle shift in language and mindset made me feel respected—as a partner, not just an employee.
About a week after joining, during a meeting, I still carried some cultural hesitation—thinking as a newcomer I should avoid drastic changes and instead offer cautious suggestions. My initial report and plan were conservative. But Ben immediately told me: “Don’t limit yourself. Go big. This market and business are yours. Just let others know how they can support your goals.”
That moment I fully grasped it: we’re co-founders here. We need to dare to envision, dare to experiment, dare to execute. Many companies struggle with delegation—wanting to empower but unable to fully do so. But Bybit removes those barriers. The company instantly clarified my mission: drive growth, elevate service quality, strengthen the brand. And departments like tech and content provide efficient support—every resource converges around those who want to act. This clarity allowed me to charge forward without hesitation, which is why I adapted so quickly. Anyone in this environment would feel similarly activated.
TechFlow: Understood—complete trust, space, and support, enabling you to pursue your ideas with full backing. Given your arrival, could you share what major initiatives Bybit plans for the Chinese-speaking community?
Tina:
We’ve had multiple rounds of discussions on this, distilling it into three core initiatives.
First, our business team will aggressively expand distribution channels, collaborating with numerous partners—traffic agencies, quant firms, communities, KOLs—to rapidly scale outreach and encourage more collaborations with Bybit. We’ll offer partners excellent policies, frequent events, and comprehensive support.
Second, we’ll significantly upgrade service quality. I personally handle customer service—even resolving complaints at 4 AM. I see this as a sign of a professional company’s commitment to excellence. I’ll lead by example. My team regularly collects user feedback from social groups and platforms. Going forward, we may establish a dedicated舆情 (public opinion) monitoring team.
Beyond online support, we value offline experiences equally. We’re planning a “Profit Stories” series to help users better understand Bybit’s arbitrage tools and products. We’ll also offer lifestyle services, fostering a “Bybit Family” concept—shared meals, workouts, etc.—building an interactive, accessible service ecosystem where users feel close and supported anytime, anywhere.
The third and most crucial step is answering why users choose Bybit—this was Ben’s question to me. Is it great service? Generous perks? Ben believes the real answer is simple: Bybit enables users to earn money—that’s the core. This inspired my “Profit Stories” idea: users share trading insights, and elite traders or communities can even request custom arbitrage products—we’ll make them happen. We’ll grant users maximum flexibility, including bonus coupons and trial funds. Through deep collaboration with traders, we’ll jointly refine Bybit’s trading suite.
TechFlow: How do you view the importance of KOLs in marketing? What does Bybit’s KOL collaboration model look like? Any incentive policies you can share?
Tina:
This area is mainly managed by Global Marketing colleagues, so I’ll only share personal views. Official strategies will be announced by the Global Marketing team.
From my perspective, there are top-tier Chinese-speaking KOLs who are valuable partners deserving of respect—many of whom I know well. Therefore, I strongly believe collaborations should yield win-win outcomes. Content must be meaningful—not just ads—while ensuring our benefits and products reach users effectively.
For example, my “Profit Stories” initiative can integrate with many KOLs and third-party organizations, creating an open platform where we discuss on-chain earning opportunities weekly—not limited to Bybit-only topics. We can cover market trends, hotspots, and opportunities. Combining online and offline formats, this falls within my operational scope.
U.S. Stock Trading Feature Hints at a New Growth Catalyst
TechFlow: Let’s discuss recent industry highlights—particularly Bybit’s newly launched U.S. stock trading feature. Some community members note it doesn’t involve actual U.S. stocks. Could you explain the mechanism behind buying traditional assets like U.S. stocks using USDT or other crypto on Bybit?
Tina:
The U.S. stock trading feature represents a pioneering move by a top exchange exploring traditional assets in crypto. We took the first step. However, transactions are currently executed in crypto pairs—you can think of it as trading U.S., Hong Kong, or U.S.-listed stocks, but delivered via derivatives (CFDs).
My explanation here may not be exhaustive—official details will come later.
TechFlow: After launch, many expressed interest and curiosity. The initiative carries positive industry implications—widely seen as beneficial. But upon trying it, some notice differences from using native U.S. stock apps.
Tina:
The U.S. stock trading function operates via CFD channels, unlike direct U.S. stock investing. Previously, Bybit users could only trade crypto-related assets. Now, Bybit Gold & FX opens a gateway for users to leverage crypto market advantages to invest in gold, forex, and U.S. stocks—allowing direct investment using USDT in their Bybit accounts. Bybit’s core mission is empowering users to earn. Users can freely choose investment channels based on market conditions to maximize returns.
Currently, mostly sophisticated users engage with this—monitoring both markets. When crypto offers opportunities, they go crypto; when not, they switch to U.S. stocks or gold.
TechFlow: We observe a trend: even within U.S. stocks, there’s a subcategory—crypto-linked U.S. stocks. The overlap between these two user bases is growing. We frequently see communities discussing how many users are both crypto and U.S. stock investors. Previously, they used separate apps, but now consolidating both in one platform may represent a key product need, market trend, or growth catalyst. We’re also seeing traditional platforms like Futu adding crypto services—further validating this convergence.
Tina:
I plan to discuss this product with friends in traditional finance, as their trading habits differ from crypto natives. Though smaller in number, their individual trading volumes are massive. I want to understand their ideal product needs and feed insights back to the team for iterative improvements.
I believe the fusion of crypto and traditional finance is inevitable. There will be a period of adaptation, but increasing overlap among KOLs, users, and institutions confirms this trend. Within this convergence lies potential for explosive growth.
0-Minute Response: From Meme to Reality
TechFlow: Final question: Bybit’s KYC team previously responded extremely fast, gaining widespread attention. The community widely joked about “0-minute response.” Could you walk us through how Bybit handled this incident?
Tina:
Here’s what happened: One of our colleagues spotted the issue immediately and forwarded it to our internal group. As soon as I saw it, I reached out directly to the affected user to understand the situation.
I remember it was a weekend, but the company instantly formed a 20+ member cross-department task force to investigate. The user questioned whether their KYC data had been tampered with and worried about security risks. We thoroughly audited everything—from tech systems to operations and verification thresholds. Ultimately, we confirmed the issue stemmed from the user’s own actions. Out of privacy concerns, we can’t disclose further details.
Given the security implications, we treated this seriously. I insisted on clarifying everything publicly. Our official statement included the phrase “0-minute response,” which carried a slightly humorous tone. It quickly turned into a community meme. But I want to emphasize: Though “0-minute response” began as a joke, it has now become a real goal for Bybit. We will roll out AI customer service bots and other measures to turn this joke into reality. If we miss the mark, feel free to contact me directly.
TechFlow: Turning memes into reality—this sounds fascinating from a user perspective.
Tina:
Going forward, we’ll strive to transform every complaint and joke into tangible progress. In other words, every user meme is an opportunity for improvement—this is our new mindset. We’re committed to making these things real.
*Note: Bybit currently only provides its trading platform to overseas Chinese residents and does not serve mainland China residents.
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