Interview with WEEX Chief Security Officer Ethan: The "User-First" Philosophy Behind a 400% Surge in Trading Volume

At one of the world's most influential crypto events, Token2049 in Singapore, the exchange platform WEEX has issued a clear and powerful market declaration to the world. In the crypto world where both turmoil and opportunity exist, what is the foundation of an exchange? Is it the pursuit of short-term traffic, or the adherence to long-term value?

With this question in mind, BlockBeats and WEEX co-founder and Chief Security Officer Ethan engaged in a profound dialogue. Over the years, Ethan has led the WEEX team to rebuild the contract system, launching "Contract Pro" to make contract trading more efficient and secure. This upgrade has driven the platform's contract trading volume to grow by over 400% in just three months.

From him, we see not only the rigor of a technical expert but also the foresight of strategic thinking. In this interview, Ethan deeply analyzed how WEEX views "security" as the absolute cornerstone of trading, how they have integrated risk control experience verified by traditional finance into their DNA, and how through the product upgrades of "Contract Pro" and "Spot Pro," they have transformed the concept of "user-first" into an incredibly smooth and secure trading experience.

As the platinum sponsor of this Token2049 event, WEEX is leveraging this globally prominent stage to bring its years of deep-rooted technical strength and "security-first" philosophy from behind the scenes to the forefront, undergoing scrutiny from the entire industry.

The following is the full content of this interview:

BlockBeats: First of all, thank you, Ethan, for accepting the interview. As a platinum sponsor of Token2049, WEEX has undoubtedly sent a strong signal to the global market. What core message does WEEX hope to convey to the entire industry and users through this event?

Ethan: We hope to send a very clear signal: WEEX is not only a technology-driven exchange but also a globally-oriented platform rooted in long-termism. Since its establishment in 2018, WEEX has served over 6 million users, provided 1000+ trading pairs, and established a 1000 BTC user protection fund, which is our most direct commitment to user asset security.

Through the global stage of Token2049, we hope the industry and users can see WEEX's continuous investment in underlying technology and security, and we also hope users can feel that when choosing an exchange, security and trust are always paramount. This is what WEEX insists on and continuously strengthens.

TOKEN2049 WEEX Booth

BlockBeats: Why does Token2049 hold special strategic significance for WEEX among many industry conferences? How is this related to WEEX's global expansion blueprint?

Ethan: Token2049 is not just an industry exhibition, it is more like a "compass" for the entire Asian and even global crypto industry. For WEEX, this is both an important window to showcase technological achievements and brand concepts, and the best opportunity to communicate directly with global users and partners. Over the past few years, we have been gradually expanding in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, and we need such an internationally influential node to more clearly convey the values of "security, transparency, and long-termism."

The reason for choosing to speak at Token2049 is because it brings together cutting-edge entrepreneurs, investors, and regulatory observers. The topics they focus on, whether compliance, security, or the long-term development of the market, are highly aligned with WEEX's strategic direction. Therefore, we see this conference as a key anchor point in our globalization strategy.

BlockBeats: As the core leader of WEEX, what are your main focus areas in this event?

Ethan: I have three main focuses. First, it is to show the industry the continuous iterative results of WEEX on the underlying trading system, including upgrades such as "Contract Pro" and "Spot Pro" targeting professional users, allowing everyone to see our long-term commitment to user experience and security.

Second, leveraging the stage of Token2049, we hope to establish connections with more industry partners, especially engaging in in-depth discussions on compliance and risk control.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, is to convey the idea that "security is not a cost, but the cornerstone of transactions." I hope that when users talk about WEEX, their first impression is "peace of mind"—no matter how the market fluctuates, their assets and trading experience are properly safeguarded.

From Traditional Finance to the Architect of the Crypto World

BlockBeats: In your opinion, what aspects of the traditional financial system's experience in risk control and system architecture are worth learning from for the current cryptocurrency exchanges' development? How does WEEX transform this experience into a platform advantage?

Ethan: Over decades of development, the traditional financial market has established a mature framework for risk control, liquidity management, and system stability. For example, ensuring the stability of the matching engine in a high-concurrency trading environment and preventing system crashes in different market extreme conditions are experiences that the traditional financial sector has refined over time.

At WEEX, we directly incorporate these standards into the construction of cryptocurrency exchanges. For instance, in the design of the Contract Pro and Spot Pro systems, we strictly restructured the matching engine based on institutional-grade risk control logic and introduced multi-level risk control models to ensure smooth operation even in extreme market conditions. This not only enhances trading efficiency but also increases user trust. In other words, we are not merely "imitating" traditional finance but transforming those validated best practices into a moat for cryptocurrency trading.

BlockBeats: As the strategic leader of WEEX, how do you integrate the 'user-first' concept into product upgrades and compliance layout? When driving the team to implement this concept, what key aspects do you prioritize?

Ethan: For me, "user-first" is not just a slogan but something that needs to be implemented in every product detail. For example, during the design phase of Contract Pro, we consistently thought from the user's perspective: How can we make trading smoother? How can we reduce unnecessary coin swaps? How can we avoid fund risks in extreme market conditions? Ultimately, we used the USDT unified margin model to address slippage and cumbersome operations, significantly reducing users' implicit costs.

The same applies to compliance. WEEX's global layout is not about chasing after gimmicks but ensuring that users' trading rights are fully protected in different jurisdictions. For me, the most critical aspect is to treat "security" as the first principle of trading. Only when users' assets are truly well protected and the trading experience is truly smooth will they choose to stay on this platform in the long run.

Deep Technology Cultivation, Evolution, and Value of WEEX's 'Pro' System

BlockBeats: With the rapid growth of WEEX's user base, the platform has undergone a comprehensive upgrade in its trading system. Could you please explain in layman's terms how the Contract Pro system enhances user experience, reduces slippage, and minimizes operational risks for them?

Ethan: Contract Pro is actually to systematically address many pain points that are most concerning to professional traders on a daily basis. In the past, when users switched margin between different coins, they had to constantly exchange, which not only increased operational complexity but also easily caused slippage due to market fluctuations. The first thing we did was to introduce a USDT unified margin model, allowing users to directly trade all contracts with USDT without the need for frequent switching.

Secondly, we made a large-scale overhaul in the underlying matching engine and risk control module. For example, in high-concurrency scenarios, there might have been delays in the past, but now matches and settlements can be completed in an extremely short time, making trading more seamless. In summary, users only need to focus on the trading itself, without worrying about whether the system can keep up or bearing additional risks due to technical issues. This is the embodiment of our philosophy of "placing equal emphasis on security and efficiency" in the product.

BlockBeats: After the Contract Pro system went live, the trading volume increased by 400% in three months. Behind this astonishing growth, to what extent do you think technological optimization has driven business growth? Does this validate the view that "technology is the core competitiveness of an exchange"?

Ethan: Firstly, the 400% growth is not accidental but a natural result of improved user experience. Over the past few years, we have observed a commonality: when traders find a platform that can maintain smooth matching and extremely low latency in highly volatile markets, their trust quickly accumulates, and they are willing to migrate more funds and more trading activity here.

For WEEX, Contract Pro is not just a system iteration; it represents a product philosophy: technology must serve users' trading security and efficiency. We optimized not only the matching engine itself but also everything from network links, matching queue hierarchy, to dynamic adjustment of risk control parameters. These underlying improvements may not be directly perceived by users, but they will truly feel "faster order placement, smaller slippage, and more controllable liquidation."

The relationship between technological optimization and business growth is strongly correlated for us. In other words, technology is not a follower of the business but the core driving force of the business. An exchange can rely on marketing to acquire traffic in the short term, but if the technical experience cannot support trading demands, user retention rate will quickly drop. WEEX's choice is to first polish the system to perfection and then talk about scaling. And the fact is that this long-term approach allows us to attract and retain the most demanding traders in extremely volatile markets.

Therefore, if we say "technology is the core competitiveness of an exchange," I would add a point: only when technology is applied to user experience and security guarantee does it truly become a competitiveness. This is also the key to WEEX being able to multiply its trading volume in a short period of time.

BlockBeats: After leading the contract system, you continued to drive the upgrade of "Spot Pro." Which type of user base is it mainly targeting? Compared to other platforms' spot systems on the market, where does its core advantage lie?

Ethan: The upgrade of "Spot Pro" is aimed at meeting the needs of a broader user base. We observed that many spot systems on the market are either too complicated, making it difficult for new users to get started, or overly simplified, with professional traders feeling the functionality is insufficient. WEEX's approach is to provide a "layered experience": novice users can quickly buy and sell in a simple mode, while professional users can use rich order tools, quantitative interfaces, and deep data in advanced mode.

At a technical level, Spot Pro optimizes the matching engine and order book logic to ensure stability and depth even in high-concurrency scenarios, providing security for large fund transactions. At the same time, we embed security and compliance in the design, such as real-time risk control monitoring and asset protection mechanisms, ensuring that user operations always stay within a secure boundary.

In summary, Spot Pro's differentiation lies in: catering to both the convenient experience of beginners and providing near-institutional-level performance and security for professional traders and institutions.

In the Wave of Compliance, the Exchange's Long-term Vision

BlockBeats: Against the backdrop of increasingly clear global regulation, how has WEEX planned its compliance path and global layout? What do you think is the key to progress in different jurisdictions?

Ethan: In the context of gradually clear global regulation, compliance has become a core issue that all exchanges must address. WEEX's approach is "running two tracks in parallel": on the one hand, we actively explore compliance channels in different jurisdictions, maintain ongoing communication with local regulatory agencies and legal advisors, and prioritize regions with high requirements for user asset protection and market stability.

We believe that the key to progress is not merely obtaining a particular license, but rather being able to establish a "compliance trust chain" globally. This is not only about survival at a legal level but also directly affects user trust and institutional partners' willingness to cooperate. In the future, WEEX will continue to adhere to the path of emphasizing both security and compliance, driving global expansion while maintaining the predictability and stability of products and services for users.

BlockBeats: Founded in 2018, WEEX has crossed multiple bull and bear cycles. What do you think is the foundation for an exchange to "survive long-term" and gain user trust? How does WEEX's "user-first" philosophy manifest in specific mechanisms or product details?

Ethan: The key to whether an exchange can survive long-term lies in whether it truly prioritizes "user trust." For WEEX, the greatest experience spanning multiple bull and bear cycles is to ensure that regardless of market conditions, user asset security and trading experience remain unaffected. We believe that "user first" is not just a slogan but an execution standard embodied in the details.

For example, at the product level, we have established a 1000 BTC User Protection Fund to provide the final security barrier for users in extreme market conditions; at the technical level, we continue to iterate on the "Pro System," optimizing the matching engine and risk control mechanisms to ensure stability even under high concurrency; at the service level, we adhere to rapid response and transparent communication, allowing users to clearly feel the platform's sense of responsibility.

The essence of long-termism is to persist in doing the right thing amidst short-term fluctuations. As long as we continue to uphold the two core principles of security and trust, WEEX can truly earn long-term user loyalty, and this is the fundamental reason an exchange can survive and continue to grow.

BlockBeats: You often emphasize to the team that "security is not a cost but the cornerstone of transactions." As CSO, how do you integrate this philosophy into WEEX's daily operations and technical development? Could you share a bit about WEEX's multi-layer risk control mechanisms?

Ethan: At WEEX, security is the cornerstone. We have multiple layers of risk control, hot and cold separation, regular audits, and even code reviews as part of our daily routine. The investment in security yields long-term trust. "Security is not a cost but the cornerstone of transactions" is a point I repeatedly emphasize in my daily work. As CSO, my core responsibility is to embody this philosophy in every aspect of the platform.

For me, security is not just about "avoiding losses" but also about "creating value." Only when users are confident that their funds are secure will they be willing to trade and trust in the long run. It is this philosophy that allows WEEX to remain robust in an industry that is rapidly evolving.

BlockBeats: Regarding WEEX's User Asset Protection Fund, could you introduce its operation mode? How does it provide protection for users in extreme market conditions?

Ethan: The User Asset Protection Fund is a security safeguard mechanism pioneered by WEEX in the industry, currently with a scale of 1000 BTC. The operation logic of this fund is very simple: it is a dedicated "security buffer pool" set up for users, only activated in extreme circumstances to compensate for any losses that users may suffer due to force majeure or sudden risks.

The significance of this mechanism lies in allowing users to explicitly see that the platform has converted its security commitment into tangible financial support. We don't rely solely on verbal promises to earn trust; instead, we take on responsibility with real money.

During extreme market conditions such as sudden liquidity drops or sharp market fluctuations, the insurance fund can come into play, supporting users and preventing irreversible losses due to black swan events. This mechanism not only boosts user confidence but also drives the platform to operate more prudently in its day-to-day activities, as we need to fully bear this responsibility.

For me, the insurance fund is not just about risk mitigation but also a culture: it makes the entire team aware that only by safeguarding user security can the exchange's future be ensured.

BlockBeats: Finally, how will you lead the technical team to shape WEEX into what kind of platform? What is the one thing you most want to say to WEEX users and potential users?

Ethan: My goal is to shape WEEX into a platform truly centered on security and efficiency, capable of meeting the trading depth of professional users while also considering the experience of ordinary users. We will continue to delve into the underlying architecture, iterate on the "Pro system," ensure stability even under high concurrency and extreme market conditions, and accelerate the innovation pace of compliant products. This will enable users to utilize advanced tools in a secure and transparent environment.

I have always believed that an exchange is not just a trading venue but also a market infrastructure that carries users' expectations of long-term trust. In the coming one to two years, we will significantly accelerate our global compliance layout and service experience, ensuring that users worldwide receive consistent security protection and user experience.

If I were to express my heartfelt message to users and potential users in one sentence, it would be: "Choosing WEEX is not just choosing a trading platform but selecting a long-term partner that always prioritizes asset security."

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