Jaewon Lee is a South Korean business executive who serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bithumb, the country's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange. He also holds the CEO position at its parent company, Bithumb Holdings, and is leading the company's efforts toward a planned Initial Public Offering (IPO). ^{[1] [2]}

Education

Lee attended Inha University, where he completed his undergraduate studies. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, a field that provided him with a foundation in systems and operational management. ^[1]

Career

Lee has a career spanning the information technology, private equity, and financial technology sectors. His early professional experience included positions at several established companies, such as LG CNS, IGE, Affinity Media, and IMA. He also became involved in the private equity space, holding roles as a Director and Private Equity Investor at Affirma Capital. ^{[1] [2]}

In 2017, Lee joined Bithumb to lead its global business operations. He later advanced to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO), where he was responsible for overseeing the exchange's day-to-day business functions. His appointment to CEO of Bithumb came in mid-2022, a period of significant market instability following the collapse of the Terra-Luna ecosystem. This event, often referred to as the "Luna Crisis," sent shockwaves through the global cryptocurrency industry, and Lee was tasked with navigating Bithumb through the subsequent fallout. He was later reappointed as CEO, affirming his leadership role. In addition to his position at Bithumb, he concurrently serves as the CEO of Bithumb Holdings Co., Ltd., the exchange's parent company, and Bithumb Korea Co., Ltd. ^{[1] [2]}