Jean-Louis van der Velde is a technologist and serial entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the fintech industry. He is the Co-founder/CEO of Bitfinex and former CEO of Tether. ^[1][4]

Early Life & Education

Jean-Louis van der Velde left the Netherlands in 1985 to study at National Taiwan University, where he graduated in 1988. He has lived in Asia since then, focusing on roles in the international high-tech industry before transitioning to areas such as finance and fintech. He speaks five languages and has gained over 30 years of experience in these fields.^{[1][3] [8]}

Career

Jean-Louis van der Velde has co-founded several IT companies in Asia since 1998, focusing on hardware design, software development, and emerging technologies. His work has aimed to advance areas such as embedded systems, video streaming, IPTV, digital TV, web-based applications, and digital marketing. He has also held senior management roles in IT, distribution, and manufacturing, including positions as an executive director in a Chinese automotive group and a Hong Kong-based venture capital firm.

In academia, van der Velde serves as a lecturer at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and as a guest lecturer at National Taiwan University, where he covers topics such as blockchain and regulation. He has participated in technology conferences as a speaker, sharing insights on open-source technologies based on his experience co-founding an advanced embedded Linux company. ^[5]

Bitfinex

Jean-Louis van der Velde co-founded Bitfinex in early 2013 and holds the position of CEO. He oversees the organization of its holding structure, DigFinEx, which aims to support advancements in fintech and big-data technologies.

During his tenure, Bitfinex introduced an internally developed AML/KYC system and engages with banking partners, regulatory authorities, and law enforcement to address developments in the digital asset sector. The platform facilitates trading services for digital currency traders and liquidity providers. ^[6]

Tether

Jean-Louis van der Velde served as the Chief Executive Officer of Tether, where he aimed to guide the company's strategic direction and manage its daily operations, financial processes, and legal matters.

In October 2023, he transitioned to an advisory role, with Paolo Ardoino, Tether's Chief Technology Officer, succeeding him as CEO.

Tether is a blockchain-based stablecoin designed to maintain a value pegged to the U.S. dollar, supported by assets held in reserve. The company is owned by iFinex, a Hong Kong-based organization that also manages Bitfinex. ^{[1] [2] [7]}