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Episode #130: Crypto for Financial Empowerment with Wei Zhou

Ex-Binance CFO discusses his plans to expand the Coins.ph exchange to emerging markets around the globe

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Olá pessoal!

Today’s interview is with former Binance executive and current Coins CEO Wei Zhou.

Coins is an OG crypto exchange that originated in the Philippines in 2014. We discuss Wei’s recent acquisition of the platform and his push to expand it into emerging markets globally, including Brazil and Latin America.

Key Takeaways:

  • Coins.ph has successfully transformed from a regional Filipino exchange into a global platform, now processing $15-20 million daily in stablecoin-to-peso trading

  • The Coins’ global expansion strategy focuses on emerging markets rather than traditional financial centers, targeting regions with similar banking infrastructure and user behavior patterns

  • Zhou emphasizes the importance of moving beyond simple token listings to creating genuine partnerships with blockchain projects and fostering real community engagement

  • The platform aims to reduce costs for users by improving fiat on/off ramps and developing innovative local currency solutions

Zhou brings a unique perspective to cryptocurrency adoption, drawing from his experience as Binance's former CFO and his role in developing their Launchpad product. He also IPO-ed several companies in the US during his TradFi days.

He argues that the industry needs to shift focus from financial inclusion – which he considers largely solved through widespread mobile wallet adoption – to financial empowerment.

"The real freedom of money isn't just about speculation or mobility," Zhou explains. "It's about the internet taking over financial services the same way it transformed commerce and information sharing – lowering costs, increasing speed, and expanding access."

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Our discussion also touches on regulatory developments, with Wei sharing insights on how different jurisdictions approach crypto regulation. He emphasizes the importance of working within regulatory frameworks while maintaining innovation, particularly in emerging markets where cryptocurrency can have the most significant impact.

Looking ahead, Coins plans to launch services in Brazil, focusing on building local partnerships and creating real-world use cases for crypto. The platform aims to differentiate itself through deeper integration with local financial systems and a commitment to community engagement.

This episode offers good insights for anyone interested in crypto in emerging markets and the evolving relationship between traditional finance and digital assets.

You can connect with Wei on X/Twitter and Linkedin

Have a great weekend everyone!

-AWS

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