Original Article Title: "Binance He Yi: The Money You Can Earn is Money Within Cognition | About Binance, CZ Zhao Changpeng, and Those Unheard Stories"

Original Source: Bonnie Blockchain

Original Compilation: TechFlow

Key Points Summary

As a co-founder of Binance, He Yi is not only a central figure of power in the cryptocurrency field but also an irreplaceable key player in the industry. How did she lead Binance from a startup to a global leading cryptocurrency exchange platform? In the interview, He Yi rarely shed tears, recalling the hardships and breakthroughs she has experienced along the way. Coming from a poor village, how did she step by step enter the cryptocurrency industry and stand at its core, influencing the development of the entire industry?

As a mother, daughter, and career woman, He Yi also shared her advice for women in the new era on the show. She openly 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 the new era. This is a profound conversation about growth, choices, and female power, showcasing He Yi's wisdom and courage. You won't want to miss it.

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

Highlights Summary

· I feel like I grew up in an environment that encouraged learning from a young age. There was a bookshelf at home, and these books made me enjoy reading, making me feel different from other kids. When I was young, I thought there was an IQ difference between myself and others, but as I grew up, I realized it was actually a cognitive difference.

· I read a book called "Desire to Imitate," which mentioned that many human desires actually stem from imitation. Having not seen a larger world when I was young, I was willing to try many things without fear of loss; because my starting point was relatively low, I would think losing was normal and winning was an added bonus.

· In 2013, the price of Bitcoin surpassed $1,000. A VC investor named Maigang asked me to help create an advertisement for a Bitcoin trading company. During a subsequent event, I met Star, and Maigang said to Star, "Aren't you looking for a Marketing Director? He Yi would be a great fit." That was my opportunity to enter the cryptocurrency industry.

· Perhaps because I have never worked in a large company, I am not very good at handling complex interpersonal relationships, but my focus on results makes my work style appear very direct.

· CZ tentatively asked me if I would be willing to join his team, but I didn't think much of it. I remember telling him, "I'm too expensive, you probably can't afford me."

· Shortly after, they raised about $100 million through an ICO. CZ contacted me again, "BNB is going to launch tomorrow. If the price of BNB surges tenfold after the launch, I won't be able to give you the same offer. So you either agree today, or we'll have to renegotiate in the future."

· As a woman, whether choosing to support her husband and educate her children or choosing to be a good mother and homemaker, both are valid choices, and these roles are not easy to excel in. I chose to be myself. This was both an active choice and a passive one.

· I believe the premise of choice is that they have tried different ways of life, understanding what they truly like and dislike.

· After giving birth, I didn't take maternity leave but went straight back to work. Many people asked me if I experienced postpartum depression, but my answer is, I simply didn't have time to be depressed.

· I think the most important thing in life is "since we are here, we should make the most of it." If you ask me what is most precious to me now, I would still choose family.

· Only outstanding men can be with outstanding women. We shouldn't always think about what we can get from the other person but should first consider what we can offer to the other person. Only when both parties can create value in the relationship can it truly be long-lasting and healthy.

· I don't think being a CEO is important. Many people congratulate me, saying, "Congratulations, you've finally become a CEO." But I believe it has nothing to do with the title; it's about how much responsibility you take on, 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, no matter how you explain, cannot change their minds.

· If I were speaking to someone else, I would advise them to be brave. As for myself, there's not much to say, because I've always been a bit reckless. Past experiences, whether good or bad, are crucial parts of shaping who I am today.

· Along the way, there have been many benefactors, even those who criticize me, or even the 'haters,' they are also benefactors because they make me reflect and grow.

Blockchain Leading Lady He Yi's Growth Story

Host: Every time I see your interviews or discussions, I am very touched. I love the kind of story that rises from adversity. I have learned some of your experiences, and you mentioned that you grew up in a village. Can you talk about what life was like at that time?

He Yi: My family is located in a remote mountainous area in Sichuan. It takes an hour to travel from home to the county town through mountain roads. When I was young, our home had electric lights, but the power supply was not stable. Especially during windy days, the power lines would easily break, requiring us to use kerosene lamps. There was no running water or well in our house, so we had to carry buckets to fetch water from outside.

Before I was nine years old, the living conditions at home were relatively good because my parents were teachers. In the village, our family was highly respected. For example, if there was an argument in the village, they would come to ask my father to mediate. I can say that my father was very prestigious in the village. However, after my father passed away suddenly, a big change occurred in our family. My mother raised us alone, while also taking care of the elderly and children, making life very difficult.

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

Host: Is there any family upbringing that you believe has been a key factor in your current success?

He Yi: My father was a teacher and a person with a strong curiosity. When I was young, we had a large bookshelf at home with a wide variety of books, ranging from "Compendium of Materia Medica" to "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," from pig farming techniques to grape cultivation, and even oracle bone inscriptions. I feel that I grew up in an environment that encouraged learning from an early age.

These books made me enjoy reading and feel different from other kids. I used to think there was an intelligence gap between me and others, but as I grew up, I realized it was actually a gap in cognition. Due to this cognitive difference, I often read books at home by myself when I was a child instead of playing with other kids.

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

He Yi: Yes, because I am the middle child in the family. Every day, I watched my older sister go to school, and I envied her very much. Later, my parents couldn't handle my pestering, so they enrolled me in the school where their friends worked.

At that time, I was not yet six years old, but my parents told the school that I was six, paid the tuition, and let me try it out. If it didn't work out, they would let me repeat the year. There was no kindergarten or pre-school class in our hometown at that time, so I went directly to first grade at four and a half years old.

Although I was young, there might have been differences in physical and intellectual abilities, I continued to rank first in class after starting school. The following year, my parents wanted me to repeat a grade, but the class teacher did not agree and insisted that I stay in his class.

Looking back now, I think it has to do with my own desire to go to school. If a child doesn't want to go to school, forcing them to go may not yield good results. But if they are passionate about something, they will strive to do well and not see it as something special. Passion can transcend physical and intellectual limitations.

He Yi's Definition of Success and the Trade-offs for Ambition

Host: Did you ever think about what you wanted to be when you grew up? What is your definition of success?

He Yi: Actually, when I was young, I didn't have a clear concept. I read a book called "The Desire to Imitate," which mentioned that many of our desires stem from imitation. I think my thoughts as a child were very simple. For example, if my sister wanted to go to school, I also wanted to go. I hadn't seen a bigger world as a child, nor had I formed my own worldview. The ideal professions I could think of were nothing more than a teacher, doctor, or police officer, and since my parents were teachers, I thought maybe being a teacher was a picture of success.

Later, my father passed away, and our family's financial situation worsened. My mother hoped I could attend a teacher's college. She believed that graduating and becoming a teacher would provide a stable job and alleviate worries about life. As a child, I actually had my own dreams; I loved to draw and wanted to become an artist. Because I often scribbled on the walls as a child, I thought I might become an artist. I once wanted to take the entrance exam for the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, but my mother insisted I go to a teacher's college. Her thinking was straightforward, hoping that I would have a stable job in the future and not be a farmer all my life. So I listened to her and chose the teacher's college route.

At the teacher's college, I began to be exposed to a bigger world. For example, in junior high, my deskmate won first place in a school speech contest. I had never seen a speech before and didn't know what it was until then. After seeing it, I understood, "Oh, this is a speech." Later, at the teacher's college, I participated in a speech contest for the first time and won first place.

Host: So, you hadn't done any public speaking before; how did you learn?

He Yi: I didn't actively learn in any special way; I just saw others give speeches and thought, "Oh, so this is how a speech is done; it doesn't seem difficult."

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

He Yi: That's probably the case. When I was a child and saw someone win a speech contest, I would think, "If they can do it, I can try too," and it's the same with things I haven't done before. Then, I had another interesting experience once; a classmate said his dream was to be a model, and he signed up for a modeling competition. He asked me to join, so I did. The competition had a photo shoot category and a professional runway show category. Surprisingly, I received an outstanding award and even made it to the competition in Sichuan province. Looking back now, I think I might have just done it to earn back my registration fee.

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

He Yi: Actually, no. At that time, I just thought I'd give it a try, without thinking much about gains or losses, just for fun. I was very curious as a child. For example, after watching a movie about Miss America or beauty pageants, I really wanted to become a beauty pageant contestant.

Host: When we see certain things as children, we often find them glamorous and interesting, and we want to give them a try. I'm also a very curious person, so I can understand. But after participating in a competition, do you feel pressure to achieve something, like winning an award or achieving a certain result?

He Yi: No. I feel it's okay to lose; what's important is to gain something in the process. For example, you might notice during rehearsals that other contestants walk very gracefully, and you wonder why they have such charisma and poise. Then I realized that maybe I needed to adjust my posture as well. I think you can learn from experience and lessons even in failure. Winning is of course great, but losing is also okay.

Host: But does this attitude towards winning and losing need to be trained? As children, everyone wants to win, but as we grow up, we gradually understand that life is not just about winning.

He Yi: No, I think it might be because I started from a lower point, so I feel that losing is normal and winning is an extra reward.

Opportunity to Enter the Television Station

Host: Later, you entered the television station, and this experience sounds very interesting. Many people dream of entering a television station when they are young because seeing someone on TV makes them feel very successful. Your story of entering the television station sounds more like a legend.

He Yi: At that time, there was a girl named Wang Danqing whom I knew through a business collaboration. One day, she called me and said, "I am now at the TV station's satellite channel, working on a program with Sunshine Media, and we are holding auditions. I think you are very suitable for it, so come and give it a try." I remember receiving the call while standing on the subway, the signal was intermittent, watching the Beijing subway whizzing past in front of me. I thought to myself, I'm already 25 years old, not from a professional background, and my Mandarin is not even standard, how could I audition to be a host? But she said, "We don't want that broadcasting style, we want a natural and authentic style. I think you are very suitable, so come and give it a try." So I went for the audition.

In the first and second rounds of auditions, I felt that I performed quite poorly. But because Danqing was the director, she insisted on my advancement. One day, she told me: "Our producer has resigned. The producer manages the finances, so I will go talk to the executive producer. If he tries to keep me, I will say that I want to be the producer. What do you think?" At that time, I thought it made sense, but I didn't understand the operation of the TV station and had no related experience. At that time, I was just a contestant, and I never expected her to actually resign. The next day she called me and said, "They approved it." Then she said, "Your thing might not work out." In my heart, I thought, since it was already unreliable once, there was nothing to be disappointed about the second time. It's not like I would feel like I lost anything.

Unexpectedly, they still notified me to participate in the final. On the day of the final at the Sunshine Media office, everyone drew lots to determine the topic, then had two minutes to prepare, followed by an on-stage speech. After the speech, there was a Q&A session, and cameras were on us. First was self-introduction, and I can't remember what I said because it depended on the topic drawn. But the Q&A session left a deep impression on me. At that time, I didn't expect this opportunity to be mine for sure; I felt that I might be eliminated. They asked me, "What advantages do you have to be a host?" I replied, "I have a background in psychology. Although I haven't finished my postgraduate studies, I am empathetic and can communicate with different people. Second, I have studied makeup, which can save 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 out and play, and even gives you a salary; this is too perfect!" After saying that, I went back, feeling certain that I would fail. Because the other candidates were all beauty pageant winners, model champions, or celebrities with a certain reputation. I thought to myself, I definitely have no chance this time.

Because the other candidates were all beauty pageant winners, model champions, or celebrities with a certain reputation. I felt that I definitely had no chance, so I didn't hold out much hope. Then one day, I unexpectedly received a call from the new producer they wanted to sign with me. I was particularly surprised at that time. It seems that they still value practicality, perhaps because I am more down-to-earth, not pretentious, and can do my own makeup.

Looking back now, I feel very grateful for whether it is Danqing, the new producer, or the experience of working at the satellite TV station. Many people say that the entertainment industry or television industry is very complex, but for me, that experience is a very beautiful memory.

The Rare Event That Made He Yiyi Shed Tears and Its Significance

Host: I have also worked in television myself and have seen many things that have touched me. At times like these, you know, this must be a good story.

He Yi: Looking back now, the days when I worked with my grassland sisters were really wonderful. Like Jia Wei, Gao Mei, Ice Sister, we were all around the same age. We spent one to two years laughing and joking around every day, leaving behind many happy memories. They always said, "Hurry up and finish filming so we can go back to play mahjong." They really took care of me.

Host: Because I work at a TV station, I always imagine that everyone is actually very competitive. After all, opportunities are very rare, and everyone is striving for a very small chance to stand out.

He Yi: That's true, but maybe it's because I was doing outdoor programs instead of studio recordings. Many of the places we visited were remote rural areas, which may not be favored by other hosts. But I enjoyed this kind of work. The directors in the team were all very talented and young, so we were happy every day, full of laughter and joy.

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

He Yi: There were definitely challenges, such as hiking, and my partner—a male partner who is an older gentleman. It took us two or three episodes to gradually establish rapport. He has his own style, and I have mine. He is a very artistic gentleman and always says, "I can't be without Wi-Fi and coffee." Whenever we arrive at a place, he will talk about the long history of that place and compare it to the hundreds of countries he has visited. I, on the other hand, am more experiential, enjoying activities like hiking and diving into various physical activities, such as digging up lotus roots from the mud. Hiking tasks usually fall to me, while horseback riding is his domain. Although sometimes hiking is also needed, he can ride a horse, while I can only walk.

I think this division of labor is also reasonable because we each have our own characteristics. If we were to bungee jump, it would definitely be me, and he would say, "Oh no, I never do anything that threatens my life." This kind of stark contrast is really interesting. And because he is slightly older, we slowly developed a rapport during this process. As a male-female duo, regardless of whether everyone is vying for the spotlight, ultimately, each person will have their own opportunity to shine. So, there is no scheming between us but rather many happy memories left behind. Although the work was hard, in my youth, those days of making the best of a tough situation are really worth reminiscing about.

He Yi's Entry into the Crypto Industry

Host: How did you transition from your previous experience to joining the crypto industry? This sounds like a significant turning point.

He Yi: At that time, our program was recorded for a year, almost traveling to most parts of China. In the second year, because of the on-screen experience, some new opportunities started to arise, such as invitations from other TV stations or programs. At that time, I had two choices in front of me, and the stories were quite interesting.

One of the opportunities was introduced by a producer friend. She used to be a CFO of a certain company, achieved financial freedom through entrepreneurship, and later had a dream in the film and television industry. She wrote a striving novel and wanted to turn it into a TV series. Then she founded a film and television company, wrote the script herself, and planned to shoot her own entrepreneurial story. Her company was looking to sign an actress. She interviewed many girls and felt that none quite fit the image of an entrepreneur in her mind. Later, she met me and expressed interest in signing me, but the condition was for me to remove the mole on my chin. She felt that my appearance did not quite match the image she had in mind. Additionally, after signing, I would receive a fixed monthly salary, which was not high, and the financial resources were also limited. At that time, I always felt something was off, so I was a bit hesitant.

It was at this time, in 2013, when the price of Bitcoin broke $1000. At that time, I knew a VC investor named Maigang, and he asked me to help with an advertisement for a Bitcoin trading company. He did not mention the remuneration, so I asked, "What is Bitcoin?" So I started to research on my own, read the white paper online. After reading it, I found the concept of Bitcoin very novel because it was the first time I truly understood the essence of "money." When I was young, everyone always told you that money was important, but no one ever explained what money really was. Through Bitcoin, it was as if I had opened a door to a new world.

So I wrote a short article for him, did a free advertisement, and posted it with a picture on WeChat Moments. That issue was temporarily concluded. Later, I received the contract from the film and television company and also completed the Bitcoin advertisement activity. Maigang organized a KTV event, inviting everyone who helped with the advertisement to participate and prepared some small gifts, the most expensive of which was an iPad.

At the event, I met Star, and we talked about Bitcoin. Maigang said to Star, "Aren't you looking for a marketing director? He Yi is very suitable." So Star said to me, "Come to our company next week, let's talk and see if you're interested in joining." At that time, I had two choices in front of me, and I felt that I still had an entrepreneurial spirit. At that time, China's entrepreneurial and angel investment environment was very active, and I also wanted to join a startup to experience the entrepreneurial process firsthand. This was the opportunity for me to enter the coin circle.

Persuading CZ to Join the Startup

Host: So, it was you who persuaded CZ to join the startup, right? After he left his previous company, you also chose to join his team. What was your conversation like at that time? How did you persuade him? And how did he persuade you?

He Yi: Actually, when CZ joined my team, I felt that we already had a certain market share. At that time, he may have had some minor unpleasantness with his previous company. I said to him, "You have a very strong trading background, but now you are in the wallet business, which cannot fully leverage your talent and expertise. On our side, we are a trading platform, and you have been in the trading industry for many years, accumulating rich experience and being very skilled in designing trading systems. Why not continue with trading? This is your most natural and proficient field." I think this may have been the key point in persuading him.

Why Decide to Become a Partner?

Host: Going out on your own to start a business and become a boss, taking on such a big risk, is usually something that makes people hesitate. So why did you decide to become a partner?

He Yi: This decision is actually closely related to my career experience. Before joining Binance, I worked at a tech company for about a year and a half. At that time, I was responsible for marketing business, including live streaming, short videos, and mobile product showcases. Back then, our scale was even larger than Douyin, putting us in a leading position in the industry.

At that time, I felt that life truly has its own arrangements. There was once an interesting incident. When I was working at the tech company, one day my alarm didn't go off, or maybe I didn't hear it, and I overslept. Coincidentally, that day our shareholder, the founder of Focus Media Jiang Nanchun, came to the company to give a marketing presentation, and I was the marketing director in charge. I arrived more than half an hour late, which didn't leave a good impression on the shareholder.

Focus Media is our investor, mainly engaged in elevator advertising business. In return, we needed to allocate some funds for their advertising. I was in charge of ad placements and very strict about details, such as whether the ad positioning was appropriate, if the timing was right, and even whether the movie ad was first or last during the screening, all of which would have a significant impact on the ad's effectiveness. I often argued with Focus Media's team over these details, to the point where their team felt a lot of pressure. I felt that they might be a bit displeased with me, so I recommended a new senior executive to the company boss as my direct supervisor.

At that time, the company was already close to the IPO stage, having signed many agreements including options, equity, and IPO preparations. It had also hired a formal CFO to lead the IPO preparation. However, at this stage, a new boss suddenly appeared above me in the hierarchy, which I found somewhat unsettling.

Furthermore, my work style is very results-oriented, and I am used to taking things to the extreme. In my work, I do not compromise based on the other party's higher position than mine or their role as a shareholder or partner in the company. I always stick to my professional judgment. While this style has resulted in excellent work performance, it has also led to tense relationships with some colleagues. Perhaps because I have not worked in a large company before, I am not very good at handling complex interpersonal relationships, but my focus on results makes my work style appear very direct.

It was at this time that CZ reached out to me, saying he was planning an ICO and had already drafted a whitepaper, and asked if I could serve as an advisor. I told him, "I will not put my name on a document that I have not thoroughly reviewed. If you want me to be an advisor, I must be genuinely involved." So I had him send me the whitepaper. At that time, I was in Shanghai attending the Weibo Red Carpet Festival and took the weekend to revise the content of the whitepaper. In the first version of the whitepaper, about one-third of the content was written by me personally.

Back then, I did not consider compensation but rather felt it was important to do things well first. This may also be a reflection of my work values—focusing on the task itself rather than thinking about personal gains from the outset. Later, I returned to Beijing, and CZ had tentatively asked me if I would be willing to join his team, but I did not pay much attention. I remember telling him, "I am too expensive, you may not be able to afford me." This statement was actually a soft refusal from me because Binance was still a fledgling company at the time, the business was not fully established, and funds were very limited.

Shortly after, they raised about $100 million through the ICO. CZ contacted me again and said, "We now have funds and can discuss a partnership." On the night before Binance launched BNB on July 14th, he called me and said, "BNB will be launched tomorrow. If the price of BNB increases tenfold after the launch, I won't be able to offer you the same deal. So you either agree today or in the future, we will have to renegotiate."

At that time, I was indeed faced with a choice: to stay with the previous company, waiting for a visible IPO opportunity, or to join Binance and embark on a new journey. In the end, I chose Binance because I was confident in my abilities. I had successfully built a top brand in China before, and this time, I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could build a top-tier trading platform on a global scale. Although Binance had not yet launched at that time, I had already set my goal, which was to develop Binance into a top global trading platform.

In fact, at that time I had other opportunities, but I ultimately chose Binance. One reason is that CZ has an international background, while most other opportunities were from Chinese companies where the team's internationalization was limited. I hoped to participate in a project with a more global vision and pursue higher goals.

Cryptocurrency Queen's Top Communication Philosophy

Host: I think you are really good at reading people. From going from zero to one, and then from one to a thousand, you have excelled at every step. What I admire most about you is that you speak softly but act decisively. When it's time to stand your ground, you do, and when it's time to resist, you do not back down.

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

He Yi: Actually, it's not like that. When I was young, my communication style was very direct, almost indiscriminately attacking. Even now, it's pretty much the same, I haven't become particularly soft, and many people say I am a very difficult person.

Host: But it is precisely this style that has enabled you to reach the top level, hasn't it?

He Yi: Yes. To reach the top, you must have clear requirements and standards. If your attitude towards things is just "good enough" or "passable," you cannot reach the top. I can demand excellence from myself, but as the number of my employees grows, how to maintain this culture within the company becomes very important.

My approach is simple; when I discover a problem, I will point it out directly, and for those problems I have not found, I will let others handle them. I believe it all comes down to recruitment. Firstly, are the people you hire aligned with your philosophy? The world is not black and white. Some people may not perform well in your company, but may excel in others. So, the most important thing in recruitment is to see if this person fits your company culture.

The Burden Successful Women Must Carry

Host: I believe you must have attended many important occasions, where many women may be companions to successful individuals, while you are the successful one. Many people may mistakenly assume that at such gatherings of successful individuals, the woman who appears must be someone's spouse.

In the era of information explosion, the ability to discern information has become particularly important. There may be countless hot topics in the world, but the key is to know which ones are relevant to you. Everyone will have a different perception when reading the same content, right?

He Yi: I think as a woman, whether choosing to support her husband and educate her children, or choosing to be a good mother and housewife, these are all choices, and these roles are not easy to take to the extreme. If you pursue the extreme, these choices can be very challenging. For me, I chose to be myself. This is both an active choice and a passive one. The passive reason is that when I was born, I was not a princess, so I had to overcome difficulties and grow continuously through my own efforts. In this process, you will find yourself becoming more resilient and powerful. Only when you are strong enough can you truly clarify what kind of life you want.

Actually, some friends, after experiencing success in their careers, choose to return to their families. They feel that they have already proven themselves in the market or in a male-dominated environment, but eventually 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 understand what they truly like and dislike.

The Balance Between Motherhood and Career Superwoman Role

Host: In your case, how can you perfectly balance the identity of a mother and a career role?

He Yi: I think this is not an either-or choice. I really enjoy the process of being a mother. Although you often see topics about fertility anxiety on the Internet, such as the changes in the body, pain, and irreversible damage that childbirth may cause, I think being a mom is a wonderful thing. The saying "Being a mother is tough" summarizes my feelings well, and I think it is a significant transformation in my life.

Someone asked me yesterday how I deal with stress and low moods. I think it's not that the child needs me, but that I need the child. As a mother, you will feel the need to become stronger and more resilient because you have the responsibility to protect your child. This kind of strength seems to be innate, a trait written in our DNA.

Regarding the topic of birth anxiety, I believe women do not need to be overly afraid of childbirth. First of all, modern medical technology, such as epidural anesthesia, can effectively alleviate the pain of childbirth, making the birthing process more manageable. Secondly, because I have many female colleagues around me, I specifically wrote a "Birth Playbook," which includes pregnancy precautions, mental preparedness, and postpartum child care. This playbook was later supplemented and improved by my colleagues and became a practical resource. I usually proactively share this playbook with them when I learn that a colleague nearby is pregnant. I plan to make this playbook an internal company resource for the benefit of more employees.

After giving birth, I did not take maternity leave but returned directly to work. Many people have asked me if I experienced postpartum depression, but my answer is, I simply do not have time to be depressed. Because work is very busy, my energy is almost entirely devoted to work.

He Yi's View on Her Achievements

Host: If you look back when you are 90 or 100 years old, what memories will make you the happiest? Is it your achievements, your business empire, or something special?

He Yi: I think the most important thing in life is "since you're here, make the best of it." If you ask me now what is most precious to me, I would still choose my family.

Advice for Successful Women on Choosing a Partner

Host: We have many male friends in our circle, and when they choose a partner, they may want to find successful women, but successful women are often considered hard to pursue. In the past, people might have thought that women should be gentle and virtuous, but now many people ask, "You are so difficult to deal with, how can we pursue you?" Can you give them some advice? For example, how to pursue successful women like you? Not about you personally, but about successful women. Because I think women usually have an admiration for strength. If a man is already excellent, how can he give a woman space to leverage her strengths and feel comfortable at the same time?

He Yi: Only outstanding men can be with outstanding women,

Oh, I think only truly outstanding men can be with outstanding women. This kind of "excellence" does not just refer to wealth or career success but also to cognitive maturity. Indeed, there is a gap between people, but this gap can gradually be narrowed or even reversed through time and effort.

I remember a teacher once said, "All the money people earn is cognitive money." This sentence left a deep impression on me. A person's cognitive level 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 better quality relationships you can build. And this quality of life is not just about whether you have money or what kind of car you drive, but more importantly, about whether your inner self is rich and at peace.

So, I feel that if a young man cannot provide value to a woman at the cognitive level, why would she need him? Similarly, if a young man is very successful and outstanding, a woman should also consider what she can bring to him. Many times, we shouldn't always think about what we can get from the other person, but rather think first about what we can offer to the other person. Only when both parties can create value in the relationship can it truly be long-lasting and healthy.

Expectations for Binance's Future

Host: What do you think Binance will develop into in the future?

He Yi: I hope that Binance can grow into an Amazon rainforest. The Amazon rainforest is full of vitality, 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 usually triangular, with the boss at the top giving orders, and those below just need to execute tasks. But I am working hard to transform Binance into a garden-style organization. In this garden, everyone can have their own voice and space to grow. Many new joiners at Binance, especially in management, may feel confused: Why does it feel like everyone is like a boss? This is because we want everyone to be able to grow autonomously and find their place. If you are not strong enough, you may be overshadowed by others' branches and leaves; but if you are strong enough, you can grow into a towering tree in this garden.

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

Host: When I originally looked at Binance's structure, you and CZ were always the faces of Binance. But now, you have become the CEO. What is the logic behind this?

He Yi: Actually, I don't think it's important whether I am the CEO or not. Many people congratulated me, saying, "Congratulations, you've finally become the CEO." But I believe it has nothing to do with the title, but with how much responsibility you have taken on and how many tasks you are carrying.

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, first acquire the abilities required for that position, and naturally, you will get the title. Of course, sometimes the boss may promote you to take on a broader scope of responsibilities. If you can handle this challenge and do well, that's good; but if you can't, you may fail.

Personally, I prefer to achieve first and then take on responsibility, so being the CEO is not important to me. This decision to have me serve as CEO was probably mainly to give everyone confidence during the bear market. Over the past two years, we have been working hard to fill the gaps, such as improving communication with regulatory agencies, applying for licenses, and enhancing compliance standards, among others. Although these tasks have been difficult, we have caught up with two years of work. I hope that by serving as CEO, I can send a message to the outside world: Binance's core values ​​still exist, such as the concept of "user first," which has not changed. This is our commitment to the entire industry and our users.

Why is He Yi willing to respond to netizens?

Host: You are now at the top of the world, but the most scarce resource is time, and I consider myself a "poor man of time." At the Binance Blockchain Week, I saw that wherever you went, everyone was eager to take photos with you or interact with you. This is a process that must be experienced by those who become very successful and popular. But I am curious, you should value your time and energy, right? Why are you still willing to respond to some netizens on Twitter?

He Yi: I occasionally respond to netizens, depending on the nature of the matter. If someone points out an issue at work, we admit our mistakes if we are wrong and promptly make improvements. This is a reasonable process. If someone suggests areas where the company or product needs improvement, I think this is very meaningful feedback, and we will take it seriously. However, many years ago, before 2019, almost all the feedback I received online was positive. At that time, I was younger and often argued with others in groups. But later on, I found that some people seek attention by arguing with me, so I learned to avoid arguments as much as possible. When someone attacks me actively, I remind myself not to respond and not to give the other party an opportunity.

Host: Is not responding the best response?

He Yi: I think if it's a significant issue, a response is needed. But if it's just being unreasonable or intentionally seeking attention, I would choose to ignore it. Responding to such content will only help the other party attract attention; they are just using you. Have a broader mindset, listen to criticism, and that's it. You can't make everyone like you. Just like not everyone likes the dollar, not everyone likes the renminbi either. 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, no matter how you explain, cannot change their views.

Host: I think learning to accept "anti-fans" indeed takes time and practice. When you initially see some negative comments online, you feel terrible. Some criticism is utterly unreasonable, such as attacking your gender, birthplace, nationality, etc., these contents are meaningless but can affect your mood.

He Yi: Since this content is meaningless, don't bother about it.

Host: Can one completely avoid looking at these negative reviews?

He Yi: It's actually challenging to avoid entirely. If you don't look at all, you might miss some valuable information, such as understanding the stage of the company's development and the issues with the product. So now I am more focused on practical issues on social media, rather than emotional content. As for whether others like me or criticize me, these are things I cannot control, right?

Host: Do you ever stand in front of a mirror and tell yourself, "I like myself, and that's enough"?

He Yi: You don't need to tell yourself that; I think the key is to accept yourself. People tend to view issues in a binary way, such as "I'm good, he's bad; I'm right, he's wrong." But this kind of thinking is incorrect. Looking at the world more rationally, you are a small universe, and the world is a more massive universe. In these two universes, you need to accept your imperfections and also accept the world's imperfections. Just as there is night, there is day, you need to embrace the good and the bad that appear in your life because these experiences ultimately shape who you are now. When I was young, I once said, take what fate gives you and enjoy it. Looking back now, my understanding of this phrase has deepened.

What is the Relationship Between He Yi and His Mother Like?

Host: Looking back now, do you feel that the environment you were born into was more challenging, and your family was living a harder life? Now that you can provide a better life for them, do you feel that you have done well?

He Yi: Not really. If we were to look at it from God's perspective, we are just a speck of dust in the universe, insignificant, and the world is indifferent to everything. So even though I have done reasonably well in some aspects, I think I'm just someone who has been relatively lucky and also worked hard.

Of course, when I see my family living a better life, enjoying things they have never experienced before, I do feel a sense of achievement. I am a simple person, and so is my mother. For example, we still prefer to shop on Taobao, and our lifestyle remains simple.

Host: Has your mother ever wanted something special when she was young, that you can easily provide for her now?

He Yi: No. My mother's expectations are straightforward. She thinks it's already good enough for me to be a rural teacher. So every step I have taken from that point has actually exceeded her expectations. She must be proud of me, but in her eyes, you will always be the child who needs to be taken care of. No matter how old you are, in a parent's heart, you are always a child.

My relationship with my mother was not very close when I was young. After my father passed away, my mother's emotions became rather unstable. At that time, she was a middle-aged woman, responsible for taking care of elderly people and raising a group of children, so life was very stressful, and her temper was a bit short. Therefore, in my memory, there was not much intimate mother-daughter interaction in my childhood.

I think this is also a typical characteristic of parents from our generation. They are not accustomed to educating children through encouragement or praise but rather use a suppressive approach. However, this type of education had an unexpected effect on me. The more I was suppressed, the more it ignited my drive for growth. So I consider myself an "exception" who grew up in this suppressive educational environment. After I turned 18 and started earning money, I voluntarily sent money to my mother, hugged her, and bought her things. It was only then that my parents gradually learned how to express love more directly.

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

Host: When communicating with your children, how do you tell them how Mom made it through?

He Yi: I would tell them, "If you don't eat well, Mom will take you to Nepal for a month in the future to let you see how those underprivileged children live." When they hear that, they would say they don't want to go. I think because my mom was stricter with me when I was young, I now tend to emphasize expressing love to children in a warmer way and often say sweet words to them.

Host: Are children your stress relief point? Like hugging them when you're under a lot of pressure?

He Yi: Yes, looking at the children's smiling faces, all stress dissipates. And because I have children, I feel that I need to be stronger to protect more people. I won't set any strict discipline for them, such as they must grow up in a certain way to be successful. I think educating children should be guidance, not coercion. Let flowers bloom naturally, let trees grow naturally.

In fact, whether it's children, parents, friends, or even partners, I think everyone is naturally an independent individual. No one can fully rely on another person. But when you are strong enough, you are like a continent that can support them.

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

He Yi: Actually, I feel that I don't need too much understanding. As long as you are strong enough, it's not about feeling strong, but being able to accept misunderstandings between people, accept different ideologies, while being clear about who you are, where you want to go, is enough.

Advice for Everyone Who Wants to Succeed

Host: If you could go back to when you just entered society and have a conversation with yourself, what would you say to yourself?

He Yi: If it's something to say to someone else, I would advise them to be a little braver. As for myself, there's actually not much to say because I have always been somewhat reckless. Past experiences, good or bad, are all crucial parts of shaping who I am today. Every failure, every pit, actually taught me something. If it wasn't for fumbling in those pits for a long time, I might not have the understanding I have today.

Just like playing a game, you may get stuck at a certain level, repeatedly trying until you find a new solution. In this process, not only does it test your patience, but it also toughens you up. It's as if God will deal you the same hand of cards, and if you can't play it well, you'll get stuck there until you find a new strategy. And when you succeed, He will give you an even harder hand of cards.

Host: Just now you mentioned advising others to be braver, and I strongly agree with this point. Because many people are afraid to step out of their comfort zone and try things they are not familiar with.

He Yi: Many times, we set limitations for ourselves, such as "as a female executive in the workplace, how do I balance family and career?" I think I balance it quite well. When you view it as a challenge, or even see it as an impossible triangle, you will be restricted by that kind of thinking. But if you believe you can do it, it's no longer a problem.

For example, when I was young, I could never imagine myself standing on an international stage, expressing myself in a language I was not familiar with. But now, I often stand on stage speaking English, even though my grammar and vocabulary may not be perfect, as long as the meaning is correct, it's fine. I don't like to prepare speeches in advance, nor do I have time to design a PowerPoint presentation. I just think about what to say on stage, then go up and speak.

Host: It seems like your inner strength is strong enough that external evaluations are not an issue for you. I was just thinking about the concept of benefactors, and you were so moved by it. Finally, we can summarize, who do you think are the benefactors in your life, without whom you might not have come this far?

He Yi: Along the way, there have indeed been many benefactors, even those who criticized me, or even the 'haters,' they are actually benefactors because they make me reflect and grow.

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