KuCoin X Coin Edition Interview with Alicia Kao Inside: A Conversation with Managing Director Alicia Kao

Alicia Kao is a Managing Director and Head of Strategic Partner Development at the cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin. Since joining in 2019, Alicia has been responsible for  KuCoin’s marketing and managing institution and  VIP client interaction. Moreover, she’s a strategist with more than 10 years of digital marketing experience.

In this exclusive Coin Edition interview, we had the opportunity to speak to Alicia and discuss a range of topics. We explored KuCoin’s future plans to remain one of the top crypto exchanges, delving into their strategies for continued success. Alicia also shared insights into KuCoin’s new trading feature and how the exchange ensures strict compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-terrorist financing (ATF) laws. Lastly, Alicia shed light on KuCoin’s plans for expansion in Dubai, providing a glimpse into their global growth strategy.

• As one of the top crypto exchanges, what strategies is KuCoin implementing to stay competitive and provide the best services to its users?

As a People’s Exchange, we prioritize our users by providing adaptable trading tools that accommodate their needs. We listen to our users through various channels and respond promptly to enhance their experiences. Meanwhile, we have been focusing on building infrastructure, refining products, and optimizing the platform continuously to make sure our product and service quality are serving our users well on top of staying competitive.

• How does KuCoin’s new Pre-Market trading feature work, and what advantages does it offer its users?

Pre-Market trading is an over-the-counter (OTC) market that currently only opens for trading before a new coin is listed. Buyers and sellers can make their own quotes and take orders to lock in prices and liquidity in advance. This allows users to gain early access before a token is officially listed, similar to the “Early Bird Market”.

Some people have been wondering what the difference is between this product and futures trading. Unlike futures, where you’re buying a contract based on future prices, in the Pre-Market you’re directly trading the tokens themselves. At present, the Pre-Market on KuCoin is primarily designed for over-the-counter (OTC) trading of tokens before they are officially listed. This OTC nature means that trading is not continuous, unlike in futures.

• With all the buzz about crypto funding militant groups, how does KuCoin ensure compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-terrorist financing (ATF) laws?

KuCoin is a company registered in the Seychelles, complying with the relevant laws and regulations of the Seychelles, and voluntarily cooperating with regulatory authorities around the world. As a People’s exchange, the security of user assets is our priority. We have employed analytical tools and tracking systems for anti-money laundering and theft, and we have been carrying out on-chain and transaction monitoring and scanning continuously to ensure a secure trading environment for our users.

• Can you share your insights about the crypto rules in Dubai and how they compare to other global crypto hubs?

We understand that different regions present different attitudes towards regulatory frameworks. Since we are an active and leading participant in the industry, we will continuously stay aware of the regulatory progress in each region. We will stay committed to continuously monitoring the regulatory landscape and adjusting our products and services accordingly to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations in each country to the extent possible.

• As one of the speakers at the upcoming Blockchain Life 2023 event next week, can we expect to hear first-hand information regarding KuCoin’s future plans?

Overall speaking, the UAE is a promising market with an outstanding geographical location and diverse cultures. And with support from the local government, we think that their potential is big. We recently conducted research to learn more about our users in the UAE, and through our research, we have made an interesting discovery; the preferences and trading behaviors of users in the UAE showcased their unique characteristics. For example, in our survey, 72% of the respondents reported having a strong desire to invest in and purchase Bitcoin. The data derived from this research will prompt us to become more localized and launch products that are more catered to local user’s preferences.