Vivien Lin is no stranger to the traditionally male-dominated finance sector. Currently serving as the Chief Product Officer and Global Spokesperson at BingX, she has nearly a decade of experience shaping trading strategies and product development in some of the world’s leading financial institutions, including Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Bank.
In an exclusive interview with BeInCrypto, Vivien Lin discussed her transition from traditional finance to cryptocurrency, her involvement in BingX Labs, which focuses on supporting emerging blockchain projects, and her efforts to promote inclusivity in the industry.
Who Is Vivien Lin?
Vivien Lin serves as the Chief Product Officer of BingX and the Head of BingX Labs. Since entering cryptocurrency in 2020, she has driven the platform’s product development and strategic growth. With a background in TradFi as a commodities trader, Lin combines financial analysis with the forward-thinking nature of the crypto industry.
As CPO, Lin focuses on developing user-centric products and enhancing the trading experience. She leads the development of key products at BingX, including futures, spot trading, and asset management, while also representing the company at industry events. Her strategic leadership and deep understanding of global markets are essential to BingX’s success in the competitive cryptocurrency market. Additionally, she oversees BingX Labs, which supports and nurtures promising blockchain projects.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lin is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from The University of Hong Kong and another in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania
From Traditional to Digital Finance
Your career has transitioned from traditional finance to leading a major crypto platform. What drove you to make this change? How has your finance background influenced your current approach?
In 2018, I took my first step into cryptocurrency by purchasing Bitcoin, captivated by the innovative potential of blockchain technology. Initially, my career began in Investment Banking as a commodities trader, exploring a variety of roles. However, traditional finance gradually lost its allure, feeling routine and uninspiring.
This sparked my interest in cryptocurrency, and by 2020, I had fully transitioned into the industry. I was drawn by the challenges and the opportunity to contribute to an emerging financial sector, which promised both professional growth and new experiences.
Moving from the structured world of investment banking to Web3 has been a journey that has shaped my approach to product leadership at BingX. Crypto offers opportunities and growth that often exceed those found in the more established banking sector.
The entrepreneurial spirit in the crypto world contrasts with the more measured pace of banking. The product space thrives on quick change and openness to new ideas, which I incorporate into my daily decision-making.
In my role, I merge the stability of traditional finance with the forward-thinking approach of Web3. This blend allows for meaningful contributions in product development and offers opportunities to go beyond conventional boundaries, making a direct impact on the sector.
Driving Web3 Further with BingX Labs
As the Head of BingX Labs, you’re deeply involved in supporting Web3 projects. What specific trends or innovations in this space are you most excited about, and how is BingX planning to take advantage of these opportunities?
I’m really enthusiastic about the BingX Labs because it gives us the chance to find and support some of the most promising blockchain ventures. What truly makes this project stand out is our approach — we’re not just offering basic incubation or technical support. We’re providing a full range of services, including strategic consulting and market integration. Our goal is to discover high-potential blockchain projects and help them effectively deploy their tokens. This benefits both the projects we support and our users, who gain access to great investment opportunities.
Our rigorous screening process is another key factor that sets us apart. Instead of accepting every project that comes our way, we carefully evaluate each one based on technical innovation, market potential, and user acquisition strategies. This help us to make sure that we’re backing projects with real feasibility and the potential to make an impact.
Another exciting aspect is our strong community. We’re using our extensive user base and market insights to create a supportive environment for these projects. Whether it’s through AMAs, engaging with KOLs, or hosting regional events, we’re helping these projects connect with the right people — investors, users, and other stakeholders.
Ultimately, it’s all about creating a better user experience within the BingX ecosystem. We’re offering our users more than just investment opportunities. We’re providing them with access to valuable market data and a vibrant, supportive trading community. This is what excites me most about this project, and I’m thrilled to be involved in it.
Challenges as a Female Leader in Crypto
You’ve taken on leadership roles in a constantly changing industry. What challenges have you faced as a female leader in crypto, and how have you addressed them?
Leadership roles, especially for women, involve making high-level decisions that shape company culture, set strategic goals, and often involve representing the company to the public and shareholders. Women in leadership need to look far ahead, anticipating changes in the business landscape and preparing the company accordingly. It’s similar to playing chess on multiple boards; each move must align with the organization’s overall strategy and long-term goals.
A mentor once advised me to assign a value to my time and focus only on activities that meet or exceed that value, whether in monetary terms or personal significance. This concept was reinforced when I read “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant,” which discusses similar ideas about decision-making. This principle has greatly influenced my choices, including my transition into the cryptocurrency industry. It’s a straightforward yet powerful strategy that helps in navigating challenges and deciding where to invest effort.
The crypto space is often seen as male-dominated. What do you think is preventing more women from entering the Web3 industry, and what actions can companies and communities take to make the space more inclusive?
I firmly believe that representation and diversity are essential across all companies and industries. Historically, the cryptocurrency industry has been perceived as male-dominated. However, this perception is gradually shifting, with more women stepping into leadership roles.
This positive change is one of the reasons why BeInCrypto has thoughtfully curated this selection. Female leadership should not be seen as competition; rather, it demonstrates how we, as allies, are collectively strengthening the pursuit of equality in the blockchain space. It’s encouraging to witness this trend as it continues to unfold.
But it’s also important to understand that gender affirmation shouldn’t pit women and men against each other. Creating an inclusive and open professional environment requires effort and understanding from everyone involved. This includes recognizing that equality means providing the same opportunities and support to all. Everyone’s participation is essential in building a workplace where both men and women can thrive together.
There’s increasing conversation about how women leaders can drive meaningful change in Web3 through unique perspectives on collaboration and community-building. How do you see female leadership transforming the future of decentralized finance?
Meaningful transformation in Web3 will require the collective effort of many, especially women. Society often expects women to excel both professionally and in domestic responsibilities, regardless of their career success. I welcome these challenges because navigating complex situations is part of what brought me here.
In leadership, it’s important to understand and navigate the needs and personalities of a diverse team — something I’ve noticed women excel at. Aligning different department visions and managing the inevitable friction that comes with innovation and growth are key aspects of the role. Female leaders work to keep everyone moving together towards shared goals. It’s a rewarding process, but it often involves more lively discussions than quiet moments of reflection.
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