# Leon Li > Leon Li is a Chinese entrepreneur and co-founder of HTX (formerly Huobi), a major cryptocurrency exchange. He has a background in engineering and has received a... - Canonical URL: https://iq.wiki/wiki/leon-li - Categories: People in crypto - Tags: Developer, Founder - Created: 2023-08-17T14:14:24.977Z - Last updated: 2024-12-05T04:50:04.939Z - Source: IQ.wiki — the world's largest blockchain and crypto encyclopedia (https://iq.wiki) --- **Leon Lin Li** is one of the co-founders of [HTX](https://iq.wiki/wiki/huobi). Prior to founding [HTX](https://iq.wiki/wiki/huobi) Group in 2013, Leon held the role of a computer engineer at [Oracle](https://iq.wiki/wiki/oracle). [[1]](#cite-id-blrg4ax34nt)[[2]](#cite-id-d7ywy5s5et) # Education & Early Life Leon Li earned a Master’s degree in Control Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University in 2007. As an early advocate for Bitcoin, he aimed to expand awareness and adoption of [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) and [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) technologies. [[4]](#cite-id-ef819u9t6zi) # Career Leon Li is a Chinese entrepreneur who founded [HTX](https://iq.wiki/wiki/huobi) Group (former Huobi), a [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) exchange. After earning a Master's degree in Control Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University in 2007, he worked as a computer engineer at [Oracle](https://iq.wiki/wiki/oracle). In 2009, Li initiated his entrepreneurial pursuits by establishing several internet ventures, including Renrenzhe, a lifestyle search platform in China. In 2013, Li founded [HTX](https://iq.wiki/wiki/huobi).com, which has expanded its operations to over 130 countries. As CEO, he has participated in international discussions on blockchain, highlighting its potential to influence global business and value exchange. [[12]](#cite-id-FUKAd8cp5E)[[5]](#cite-id-kek7lezswrs) ## HTX In 2013, Leon Li established [HTX](https://iq.wiki/wiki/huobi), previously known as Huobi, a [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) trading platform based in China that expanded its operations to over 130 countries. In October 2022, Li sold his entire stake in the platform to a buyout firm managed by About Capital Management (HK). Following this transaction, Li retired from the exchange's operations and no longer has any involvement in [HTX's](https://iq.wiki/wiki/huobi) business activities, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. [[3]](#cite-id-6qv8v17648) [[6]](#cite-id-c0f08j6mi3u) # Achievements Leon Li has received recognition for his contributions to the [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) sector. His notable achievements include the 2018 China Fintech Award for Outstanding Contribution and the 2018 China Internet Finance Association Award for Outstanding Entrepreneur.[[3]](#cite-id-6qv8v17648) # Controversies Leon Li encountered challenges following [FTX's](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ftx) collapse in November 2022, which resulted in $18.1 million in frozen deposits for his company, Sinohope. These funds were later recovered at 108% through a sale to Ceratosaurus Investors LLC. Despite the recovery, Sinohope reported substantial losses, prompting Li to provide a $14 million personal loan to address customer liabilities. In December 2023, Li’s company, X-Spot Global, obtained an injunction requiring Huobi Global to cease using the "Huobi" trademark in Hong Kong. The trademark had been retained by X-Spot following the 2022 sale of Huobi. As chairman of New Huo Technology, Li sought to address losses stemming from [FTX’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ftx) collapse, including $13.2 million in client assets, through his personal loan agreement. [[7]](#cite-id-xwyebi7p6he) [[8]](#cite-id-0r6xzrifmsy) [[9]](#cite-id-wd4r5x7t8eh) [[10]](#cite-id-l0zga7p1n2g) [[13]](#cite-id-dNCN4ZkOZO)