In a sunlit rooftop office on Guangfu South Road, Taipei, the team behind BITGIN, Taiwan’s fourth homegrown cryptocurrency exchange, gathers for a photo. From the floor-to-ceiling windows, the golden hues of sunset bathe the Taipei 101 tower—a symbolic backdrop. For CEO Hanlin Chang, it's more than just a view. Once an executive at the now-defunct Cobinhood exchange headquartered in that very skyscraper, he’s come full circle—this time building something new, with his sister by his side.
Together with COO Yuting Chang, the siblings are redefining what a local crypto exchange can be: not just a trading platform, but a gateway to blockchain adoption for everyday users. Their mission? To make digital assets accessible, secure, and user-friendly—especially for those taking their first steps into the world of crypto.
From Marketing Expert to Blockchain Pioneer
Hanlin Chang didn’t start out in blockchain. A computer science graduate from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, he briefly worked at an IC design firm before venturing into entrepreneurship. Early projects included music and news recommendation apps—most of which didn’t gain traction.
But his curiosity led him down an unexpected path. To enhance one app’s features, he purchased tools using Bitcoin. “It felt inconvenient back then,” he recalls. “I didn’t have any strong feelings about crypto—it was just a payment method.”
That changed in 2017 when a recruiter connected him with Tai-Yuan Chen, founder of Cobinhood and widely recognized as a “startup prodigy” by AppWorks’ founder. Intrigued by Chen’s track record—launching 17 Live with Machi Big Brother and creating dating apps like Lian Lian Xiao Zhan—Hanlin saw a chance to learn from one of Taiwan’s most innovative minds.
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When Chen pivoted to blockchain and launched the world’s first zero-fee cryptocurrency exchange, Hanlin joined as Chief Marketing Officer and Strategy Lead. In that role, he helped enterprises explore blockchain use cases and guided numerous ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings), gaining deep insights into market dynamics.
Despite early promise—including recognition from Taiwan’s former Minister of Science and Technology—the company eventually collapsed in January 2020 due to internal management disputes. Yet, the experience gave Hanlin invaluable expertise in exchange operations, security, and user acquisition.
Spotting a Gap in Taiwan’s Crypto Market
After Cobinhood’s closure, Hanlin co-founded Rollin.Games, a decentralized gaming platform. But he sensed the market wasn’t ready. Meanwhile, his sister Yuting was making her own mark in digital assets as COO of Bincentive, a crypto asset management firm.
In late 2020, a Taiwanese investor approached Yuting with a vision: launch a new local exchange tailored to Taiwan’s regulatory environment and user needs. Skeptical at first—especially since three major exchanges (MaiCoin, BitoPro, ACE) already existed—Hanlin hesitated.
But research revealed a critical insight: most Taiwanese users withdraw funds to Binance, the global giant. This meant local capital was flowing overseas, largely due to inefficiencies in stablecoin pricing and poor user experience.
“USDT prices were inflated locally,” Hanlin explains. “And many platforms weren’t intuitive for beginners.” He estimated less than 10% of Taiwanese owned crypto—indicating massive untapped potential.
With Yuting’s persistence—and introductions to key investors—he finally agreed. “I realized we could build something better: simpler, safer, and truly localized.”
Why BITGIN Stands Out: Simplicity, Affordability, Depth
Launched in June 2021, BITGIN quickly carved its niche. Under the leadership of the Chang siblings, it became Taiwan’s first sibling-run crypto exchange, combining technical expertise with deep market understanding.
Hanlin identifies three core advantages:
- User-Centric Design: The interface is clean and intuitive—ideal for newcomers unfamiliar with trading jargon or complex charts.
- Competitive USDT Pricing: By minimizing profit margins on Tether trades, BITGIN offers rates closer to the USD peg—saving users money on entry.
- Deep Liquidity & Vision: Beyond trading, BITGIN aims to become a one-stop gateway into the crypto economy.
“We don’t want users to buy coins here and then go elsewhere for lending or NFTs,” Hanlin says. “Our goal is seamless integration.”
Within four months, BITGIN hit NT$400 million in cumulative trading volume, proving demand for a trusted local platform.
Building Trust Through Regulation and Banking Partnerships
In 2021, Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) introduced stricter virtual asset regulations requiring KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and third-party fund custody.
BITGIN was ahead of the curve. It partnered with KGI Bank as its New Taiwan Dollar fund custodian, ensuring customer deposits are safeguarded—a rare feature among local exchanges.
KGI Bank acknowledged blockchain’s transformative role in fintech, noting that institutional participation enhances security and legitimacy in digital finance.
Security isn’t just external. Two former Cobinhood colleagues joined BITGIN’s team, bringing operational rigor and shared values. “Having people I trust makes all the difference,” Hanlin says.
Lixuan Li, co-founder of Blocto and former Cobinhood team member, praises Hanlin’s creativity: “He sees connections others miss. When he combines trends with fresh ideas, they become something entirely new.”
Beyond Trading: The Vision for One-Stop Crypto Access
Hanlin envisions BITGIN evolving beyond transactions. “An exchange shouldn’t just be about buying and selling,” he argues. “It should empower users to invest, earn yield, trade NFTs—all in one place.”
To achieve this, BITGIN plans tools allowing users to link external wallets or DeFi accounts directly within the platform. The upcoming year-end redesign will focus on enhanced usability, aiming to surpass competitors in onboarding experience.
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This “lifestyle exchange” model mirrors global trends toward super-apps—but with a distinctly local flavor tailored to Taiwanese habits and regulatory standards.
FAQ: Understanding BITGIN and Its Role in Taiwan’s Crypto Ecosystem
Q: What makes BITGIN different from other Taiwanese exchanges?
A: BITGIN focuses on beginner accessibility, fair USDT pricing, and regulatory compliance with bank-backed fund custody—features designed to build trust and lower entry barriers.
Q: Is BITGIN regulated by Taiwanese authorities?
A: Yes. It complies with FSC guidelines on KYC, AML, and customer fund protection, including partnering with KGI Bank for NTD custody.
Q: Can I use BITGIN if I’m new to crypto?
A: Absolutely. The platform is built for beginners, with simple navigation and educational resources to help users understand digital assets safely.
Q: Does BITGIN support stablecoins like USDT?
A: Yes. USDT is available at competitive rates close to the USD peg, reducing cost friction for new investors.
Q: Who founded BITGIN?
A: It was co-founded by siblings Hanlin Chang (CEO) and Yuting Chang (COO), both veterans of Taiwan’s blockchain industry.
Q: What are BITGIN’s future plans?
A: To expand into integrated services like staking, lending, and NFT trading—all within a single, secure platform.
A New Chapter in Blockchain Innovation
Standing on his rooftop office today, Hanlin looks toward Taipei 101—the monument of his past. The view reminds him how far he’s come. But his passion remains unchanged: democratizing access to financial innovation through blockchain.
“Crypto is the most beautiful invention,” he says. “It lets ordinary people do things once reserved for institutions—lending, early-stage investing, cross-border transfers—all without intermediaries.”
With regulatory clarity growing and mainstream interest rising, Hanlin believes Taiwan stands at a tipping point. And with BITGIN, he’s not just riding the wave—he’s helping shape it.
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