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Nod to Gender Diversity as ZORIXchange Appoints Female CEO

Web3 & Enterprise·August 15, 2023, 2:18 AM

In an industry historically dominated by men, Dilys Cheng’s recent appointment as the CEO of Dubai-based ZORIXchange’s digital assets platform marks a progressive step in achieving gender diversity in the cryptocurrency space.

The Middle Eastern crypto exchange business announced the appointment via a press release which was published on Monday.

Photo by JÉSHOOTS on Pexels

 

Banking background

The firm articulated that Cheng, who hails from Nantou in Taiwan, gained experience in the banking world, igniting a fervent passion for streamlining financial ecosystems. Her eagerness to simplify these processes dovetailed with the potential of blockchain technology, propelling her on a mission of transformation.

Leveraging her extensive background in finance, Cheng has merged her expertise in fiat exchanges with the emerging capabilities of blockchain technology. Her tenure as the former Director of Asia Blockchain Accelerator showcased her acumen, propelling startups toward global expansion by harnessing the power of blockchain.

 

Addressing a gender imbalance

The company also outlined the importance of the appointment from the perspective of gender equality, in an industry that is not well represented by women. The press release goes on to state that Cheng herself “places a strong emphasis on gender equality.” Cognizant of the formidable challenges women encounter in what is very much a male-dominated sector, it appears that Cheng has made the subject a cornerstone of her agenda.

Cheng stated: “As we evolve technologically, it’s equally imperative that our culture evolves.”

 

Diversification

The gender diversity problem in crypto has long been recognized. When it comes to venture capital-backed crypto startups, less than 20% implicate female startup founders.

Her rise through the ranks is more than just a professional achievement; it symbolizes the dismantling of merit-based glass ceilings and underscores the ongoing progress in society. Cheng’s ascendancy signifies a profound shift in the crypto realm, one that champions innovation and inclusiveness.

From the perspective of investors, a study carried out by Gemini in 2021 found that only 26% of crypto investors were women. The issue isn’t confined to crypto and extends across the broader finance and technology spaces in general. A McKinsey study highlighted that 64% of C-suite executives in financial services were men, with 23% being women.

ZORIXchange was founded in 2022 by David Pan. Pan previously worked for KPMG in Taiwan as its COO for Startups and Innovation. In 2018 he left KPMG to establish the ACE crypto exchange in Taiwan. ZORIXchange builds on his experience in the exchange business, within the Middle Eastern market and beyond. ZORIX has offices not only in Dubai, but also in Malaysia and Singapore. The firm has plans to extend its geographical offering further, with a proposed expansion into Hong Kong and Australia in the works.

According to a press release published earlier this year, the company is focusing on getting compliance right. With that, it is in the process of acquiring licensing in Dubai, having previously obtained crypto trading licenses in Lithuania and Slovakia.

The exchange is expected to launch fully in September, with plans to offer fiat withdrawal and deposit options, together with a debit card product.

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