BitMEX

BitMEX, which stands for Bitcoin Mercantile Exchange, is a cryptocurrency exchange and derivative trading platform. It is owned and operated by HDR Global Trading Limited, which is registered in the Seychelles. Founded in 2014 by Arthur Hayes, Ben Delo, and Samuel Reed, BitMEX was established to provide a professional-grade Bitcoin derivatives trading platform. The company quickly became known as a preferred leveraged trading platform for Bitcoin traders. Innovation has been a key focus for BitMEX, aiming to offer users optimal trading opportunities. The platform caters to cryptocurrency derivatives traders by providing low latency, deep liquidity, and maximum availability.

BitMEX offers a variety of cryptocurrency-based financial products, including perpetual contracts, futures contracts, and options contracts. These products enable traders to speculate on the price movements of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum without owning the underlying assets. In 2016, BitMEX introduced perpetual leveraged swap contracts on Bitcoin, allowing trading with up to 100x leverage and no expiry date, a product that became widely popular. The platform supports trading for over 100 derivatives products and also offers spot trading for numerous pairs and a conversion function for over 30 cryptocurrencies. Since its inception, BitMEX states it has maintained a strong security record with no customer funds lost due to intrusion or hacking. The company emphasizes its commitment to protecting client assets through a combination of cold and hot wallets, industry-strength cryptography key management, and rigorous operational security measures. BitMEX was also among the first exchanges to publish its Proof of Reserves and continues to provide regularly updated Proof of Reserves and Liabilities.

The company's headquarters are in Mahé, Seychelles. While registered in Seychelles, BitMEX has had significant operations and offices in other locations, including Hong Kong, and has served a global customer base. The platform is designed for professional and institutional traders, offering advanced trading features, a customizable trading interface, and robust security measures. BitMEX has also focused on transparency, being one of the initial exchanges to regularly publish its on-chain Proof of Reserves and Proof of Liabilities. Despite its technological advancements and market position, BitMEX has faced legal and regulatory challenges, including charges related to the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) programs. The company and its founders have faced significant fines and legal consequences as a result.