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Phemex
Phemex
Phemex is a global cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2019 and based in Singapore. [1] The platform was established by former executives from Morgan Stanley and initially gained recognition for its derivatives trading services. [1] Over time, Phemex has expanded its offerings to include spot trading, automated trading bots, and various yield-generating products. The exchange serves a global user base that it states exceeds 10 million and is transitioning toward a hybrid model that combines centralized finance (CeFi) with decentralized finance (DeFi) elements through its Web3 ecosystem, Phemexia. [2]
The name "Phemex" is inspired by Pheme, the Greek goddess of fame and renown, reflecting the company's aspirations for prestige and recognition in the digital asset industry. [3]
History
Phemex was founded in 2019 in Singapore by a team of former Morgan Stanley executives, led by co-founder Jack Tao. [1] The platform was designed to provide a high-performance and low-latency trading environment, with an initial focus on perpetual contracts and derivatives products. [1]
In its evolution from a derivatives-focused venue, the exchange introduced its native utility token, the Phemex Token (PT). The token recorded its all-time low price of approximately 1.66 on November 25, 2024. [1] [4]
The platform has also expanded its community features with the launch of PhemexPulse, a social trading platform that allows users to interact, follow top traders, and participate in community-related events such as airdrops. [1] As part of its strategy to integrate Web3 components, Phemex introduced the concept of the Phemexia ecosystem, a semi-decentralized framework intended to give users more control through on-chain governance. [2]
November 2025 Rebranding
On November 11, 2025, Phemex announced a significant rebranding initiative that included a new logo and a redesigned platform interface for desktop and mobile. [3] The change, marked by a press release from Apia, Samoa, was the third logo change in the company's history and signaled a strategic shift toward becoming a more comprehensive and user-centric digital asset platform.
The new visual identity was designed to convey precision and performance. Key elements of the rebrand included:
- Logo: The logo was updated to a minimalist "dynamic two-candle composition" to symbolize growth, movement, and balance.
- Color Palette: A new gradient transitioning from deep green to bright blue was introduced to represent stability, trust, and innovation.
- Typography: The platform's wordmark was updated with stronger, squared edges to convey a sense of reliability and architectural integrity.
- User Interface: The platform interface was modernized with updated 3D visuals, a unified icon system, and lighter layouts to improve usability.
At the time of the rebranding, CEO Federico Variola stated;
“Our new logo and platform design embody what Phemex stands for today — precision, performance, and progress. This redesign is not merely aesthetic; it reflects the mindset that has always defined Phemex — building for the future while staying true to our core of efficiency and reliability. As we evolve, we continue to provide an environment where traders can act with clarity and confidence.” [3]
Leadership
Phemex was co-founded by Jack Tao and Stella Chan, both of whom have backgrounds in technology and finance from their previous roles at Morgan Stanley. [1] Jack Tao served as the CEO of the company from its inception.
In November 2025, in conjunction with the platform's major rebranding, Federico Variola was announced as the Chief Executive Officer of Phemex. [3]
Products and Services
Phemex offers a suite of products and services for cryptocurrency traders and investors, ranging from basic spot trading to complex derivatives and automated systems. [2]
Trading Services
-
Spot Trading: The platform provides a market for the direct purchase and sale of a wide range of cryptocurrencies. It includes a simplified "Convert" tool for instant swaps between different digital assets.
-
Margin Trading: Users can borrow funds to trade with leverage, amplifying their potential profits and losses in the spot market.
-
Futures Trading: A core offering of the platform, this service allows users to trade perpetual contracts with up to 100x leverage. It is available in two forms:
-
Mock Trading: A testnet environment where users can practice trading strategies with simulated funds without financial risk.
These trading services are a central part of the Phemex platform. [2]
Web3 and On-Chain Services
As part of its move toward a hybrid model, Phemex has integrated services that interact directly with blockchain networks.
- On-Chain Trade: A feature that facilitates the instant trading of on-chain tokens, including meme coins on networks like Solana.
- On-Chain Derivatives: This service provides leveraged trading options for high-potential on-chain assets.
- Phemexia: The platform's overarching Web3 ecosystem, which aims to integrate DeFi principles like decentralized governance into its centralized exchange infrastructure.
These on-chain offerings are part of the company's strategic shift toward a semi-decentralized model. [2]
Automated and Social Trading
- Trading Bots: Phemex offers automated trading bots for both spot and futures markets, allowing users to execute pre-set strategies 24/7. The platform has reported over 22,000 active bots with a total value of nearly $13 million.
- Copy Trading: This feature enables users to automatically replicate the trading strategies of designated "top traders" on the platform.
- PhemexPulse: An integrated social trading platform where users can join community groups, share insights, and follow the activities of other traders. [1]
Phemex Earn
The Phemex Earn suite includes various products for users to generate yield on their crypto holdings.
- Savings: Users can deposit crypto assets to earn interest.
- Launchpad & Launchpool: These platforms provide early access to new token projects. Launchpad is for investing in new projects, while Launchpool allows users to stake existing assets to earn new tokens.
- On-chain Earn: Staking services for proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, enabling users to earn block rewards and potential airdrops.
- BTC Vault: A specialized savings product for earning yield on Bitcoin holdings.
- Phemex Lending Protocol: A protocol for instant borrowing at low rates by using crypto assets as collateral.
These yield-generation services cater to users seeking passive income opportunities. [2]
Fiat On-Ramp
Phemex facilitates the purchase of cryptocurrencies using fiat currency through several methods, including credit/debit card purchases (Visa and Mastercard), bank transfers (SWIFT, SEPA, and FPS), and a peer-to-peer (P2P) trading marketplace. [2]
Phemex Token (PT)
Phemex Token (PT) is the native utility and governance token of the Phemex ecosystem. It is an on-chain, transferable asset designed to integrate users into the platform's semi-decentralized framework. [1] The token is multi-chain, existing as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain and on the Optimism network. [4]
Utility and Governance
The PT token serves multiple functions within the Phemex platform:
- Governance: PT holders can stake their tokens to receive vePT (voting-escrowed PT), which grants them voting rights in the Phemex DAO. This allows the community to influence platform development, treasury management, and other key decisions.
- Staking Yields: Users can stake PT to earn passive income.
- Trading Fee Discounts: Holding or using PT provides users with reduced trading fees on the exchange.
- Trading Rewards: The token is used to incentivize active trading and participation on the platform.
- Exclusive Access: Ownership of PT may grant access to premium features, such as token launch events on Phemex Launchpad and Launchpool.
These utilities are central to the Phemex Web3 strategy outlined in the platform's whitepaper. [1] [4]
Tokenomics
The Phemex Token was launched with a fixed maximum supply and is distributed across multiple blockchains.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Token Name | Phemex Token |
| Ticker | PT |
| Blockchain Networks | Ethereum, Optimism |
| Ethereum Contract | 0xbbb32f99e6f2cb29337eebaa43c5069386de6e6c |
| Optimism Contract | 0x35b5a3bf31b67f832230da9424824edc9f7ad98c |
| Max Supply | 1,000,000,000 PT |
| Total Supply | 1,000,000,000 PT |
The primary trading market for the token is the PT/USDT pair on the Phemex exchange itself. [1] [4]
Security and Transparency
Phemex states that it employs a variety of security measures to protect user funds and data. The majority of user assets are stored in a hierarchical deterministic cold wallet system, which keeps funds offline and away from potential online threats. [2]
For account security, the platform provides multi-factor authentication (2FA), passkey support, anti-phishing codes, and withdrawal address whitelisting. The platform's infrastructure is protected by real-time security monitoring and SSL encryption for all data transmissions. [2]
To promote transparency, Phemex periodically publishes a merkle-tree Proof of Reserves (PoR). This allows users to independently verify that their assets held on the exchange are fully backed and that the platform maintains 1:1 reserves. [2]
Partnerships and Education
Phemex has engaged in partnerships with academic institutions and has integrated with various industry services to expand its ecosystem and capabilities. The exchange partnered with the Université Paris Dauphine-PSL in France to support research into Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and the broader cryptocurrency field. [1]
The platform has also created educational initiatives, including:
- Phemex Academy: An online educational portal containing articles, guides, and tutorials on topics related to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
- Learn & Earn: A program that rewards users with cryptocurrency for completing educational modules, which typically involve watching videos and passing quizzes.
- Student Foundation: An initiative aimed at advancing crypto research through scholarships.
Phemex integrates with third-party services for charting (TradingView), data aggregation (CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko), security and compliance (Chainalysis, Jumio), and fiat on-ramps (Simplex, Moonpay). [2]
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