Vugar Usi Zade discusses MEXC’s new vision: from crypto exchange to “gateway for infinite opportunities”

MEXC opens a new chapter in its history. Leading it is Vugar Usi Zade, the new CEO of the exchange, a long-standing manager in the crypto sector and former Chief Operating Officer of Bitget, a platform that under his leadership grew to enter the global top 3 for users.

In this exclusive interview, Usi Zade explains why he chose MEXC at a crucial moment for the market, what lessons he brings from his experience at Bitget, and how he envisions the evolution of exchanges in the coming years: no longer just simple crypto platforms, but true global financial hubs.

Why MEXC: Organic Growth and Long-Term Vision

According to Usi Zade, MEXC has always stood out in the crypto landscape for one key element: organic growth.

Unlike many competitors, the exchange has reached over 40 million users without major sports partnerships or aggressive marketing campaigns, focusing primarily on product, performance, and community.

“When a company grows thanks to its users and not because of endorsements, it means the product truly works.”

It is precisely this “underdog” approach, combined with a strong untapped potential, that convinced Usi Zade to accept the role of CEO, with the stated goal of bringing MEXC into the top 3–4 global platforms in the next two years.

Lessons from Bitget: Thinking Beyond Market Cycles

One of the key points of the interview concerns the topic of crypto cycles.
Bull markets and bear markets alternate, but according to the CEO of MEXC, the real mistake many companies make is to adapt their strategy solely based on price movements.

The approach that Usi Zade intends to replicate is clear:

• invest even during challenging times,
  
• build with a long-term vision,
  
• do not halt innovation during bear markets.
  

This philosophy becomes even more relevant at a time when investors’ attention has temporarily shifted towards assets like gold, silver, and stock markets.

From Crypto Exchange to “Everything Exchange”

One of the most intriguing parts of the interview concerns the evolution of the business model.
According to Usi Zade, within one or two years we will no longer talk about:

• crypto exchange
  
• neobank
  
• traditional brokers
  

But of “everything exchange”, platforms capable of offering access to multiple asset classes within the same ecosystem.

MEXC aims to become:

• a unique gateway for crypto,
  
• tokenized stocks,
  
• synthetic commodities (such as gold and silver),
  
• real world assets (RWA),
  
• and potentially other financial instruments as well.
  

All this while maintaining speed, flexibility, and low costs, without requiring the user to constantly move funds between different platforms.

Zero fees, high leverage, and discovery of new projects

Usi Zade reiterates some elements that define MEXC’s identity:

• zero fee on the spot market,
  
• strong leadership in leveraged trading, with up to 500x on some pairs,
  
• central role as a discovery platform, meaning an exchange that lists new projects before others, allowing users to discover potential early-stage “gems”.
  

A model that, according to the CEO, will continue to be one of the pillars of the exchange.

Regulation: Necessary, but Needs Balancing

During the interview, there is also a discussion about regulation.
While acknowledging the importance of compliance, Usi Zade emphasizes how overly strict rules can stifle innovation, especially for startups and emerging projects.

The risk, according to the manager, is that of favoring only the major players, driving talent and capital towards more open areas such as the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa.

Geographic Focus and MEXC Fund

From a geographical perspective, MEXC will continue to strengthen its presence in:

• Southeast Asia,
  
• Turkey,
  
• CIS and Eastern Europe.
  

But attention is also growing towards:

• Latin America,
  
• Africa,
  markets with strong crypto adoption and great growth potential.
  

Supporting this vision is also the $30 million MEXC Fund, aimed at:

• academic research,
  
• training,
  
• technological development,
  
• collaboration with universities and research centers.

2026 as the Year of Transformation

Usi Zade defines 2026 as a year of complete transformation for MEXC: brand, product, positioning, and vision.

The ultimate goal is clear:

transform MEXC into a global financial infrastructure that is accessible, fast, and opportunity-driven.

A shift that could redefine the role of exchanges in the next market cycle. Link to the full interview: https://youtu.be/tfVySSh1F-w