BitMEX

BitMEX CEO Alexander Höptner Resigns

  • The CEO of popular crypto exchange BitMEX, Alexander Höptner, has stepped down with immediate effect after spending less than 2 years at the firm.
  • While Höptner is leaving the firm and relinquishing his role as the chief executive of the crypto platform, he will be succeeded by Stephan Lutz as the interim CEO of the firm.
  • After co-founder and former CEO Arthur Hayes pled guilty to violating Bank Secrecy Act, he was replaced with interim CEO Vivien Khoo who was succeeded by Höptner.

A rising number of executives are leaving crypto platforms amidst a significant downturn in the space. in the light of similar events, the CEO of popular crypto exchange BitMEX, Alexander Höptner, has stepped down with immediate effect after spending less than 2 years at the derivatives crypto exchange, which was formed in 2014.

While Höptner is leaving the firm and relinquishing his role as the chief executive of the crypto platform, he will be succeeded by Stephan Lutz as the interim CEO of the firm. Stephan is also the CFO of the firm and as per TheBlock, he will continue to manage both the roles at the firm.

“Stephan Lutz has been appointed as Interim CEO of BitMex after Alexander Höptner has left our business with immediate effect,” a BitMex spokesperson revealed. “Stephan will continue to serve as our CFO, a role he has held since May 2021.”

On the other hand, in a statement emailed to TheBlock, Lutz stated that he will help BitMEX deliver exemplary services as they have been doing for a long time.

“Together with the rest of the management team and our talented staff members, I will make sure that BitMex continues to deliver great, innovative crypto trading products and a secure and stable trading environment for our clients,” Lutz stated in the statement mailed to TheBlock. “We want to thank Alexander for his support to the business during his tenure and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Höptner joined BitMEX as CEO in January 2021 and is known for holding executive positions with Börse Stuttgart, Deutsche Börse AG and also leading Euwax AG. Upon his appointment, the former executive had plans to leverage his experience and help the crypto platform expand its services.

BitMEX’s multiple troubles

BitMEX has been facing a rough few years as the crypto firm’s three co-founders Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo and Samuel Reed faced a criminal lawsuit from the Commodities Futures Trading Commission and Department of Justice. After Hayes stepped down as CEO due to legal troubles, 100x Group, BitMex’s parent company appointed Vivien Khoo as the interim CEO while he was succeeded by Höptner.

In May, Hayes pled guilty to violating the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) but was successful in evading jail time and was sentenced to six months of home detention as part of a two-year probationary period. While the exchange also had plans to acquire German bank Bankhaus von der Heydt, the deal fell through as BitMEX had to cut approximately 75 jobs globally.

Avatar
Parth Dubey Verified

A crypto journalist with over 3 years of experience in DeFi, NFT, metaverse, etc. Parth has worked with major media outlets in the crypto and finance world and has gained experience and expertise in crypto culture after surviving bear and bull markets over the years.

Latest News