The rapid evolution of digital assets demands a focus on transparency, education, and trust. Leading this charge for Binance—the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users—is Bader Kalooti, Regional Head MEASAT. His diverse background and deep conviction in Web3’s transformative potential are instrumental in “decrypting crypto” for a global audience.
Kalooti’s career journey reflects a progressive understanding of disruptive technology. Starting in M&A investment banking at Citibank in Dubai, he transitioned into serial entrepreneurship, founding and exiting multiple tech startups. Before joining Binance, he served as Head of Expansions at Amazon for MENA. His move into Web3 was driven by a fascination with “decentralization, financial inclusion, and the ability to empower individuals globally through blockchain technology”. Binance, at the forefront of innovation, presented a natural extension of this passion, offering him the opportunity to shape the future of finance and technology.
A core pillar of Kalooti’s work is fostering transparency—a crucial aspect in building credibility and trust in the crypto and blockchain industry. “Transparency around assets in custody is now a market demand, and that is what we strive to deliver,” says Kalooti. “Binance believes in working closely with regulators to provide greater protection for its users.”
In order to do so Binance employs significant resources to build and maintain user trust, particularly for newcomers. This includes robust security and compliance programs, with continuous investment to ensure best-in-class systems, personnel, policies, and practices. Binance has hired over 750 employees globally focused on compliance and law enforcement, including former regulators and cybercrime investigators. In 2023, the Binance Investigations team responded to over 52,700 law enforcement requests, demonstrating a faster response time than traditional financial institutions. All users are required to complete a rigorous, fully digitized Know Your Customer (KYC) process utilizing AI algorithms.
User education is fundamental to Binance’s mission. Kalooti acknowledges that crypto platforms can be conceptually and technically complex. To address this, Binance created Binance Academy, an open-access learning hub offering free blockchain and crypto education in over 30 languages. This initiative empowers users to make informed decisions and promotes wider adoption of blockchain technology. Binance Academy also collaborates with universities to integrate blockchain education, fostering talent in the industry.
Kalooti actively debunks common crypto misconceptions. Against the “lack of intrinsic value” myth, he points to crypto’s diverse uses for payments, remittances, DeFi, NFTs, and even real estate transactions. Regarding concerns about “lack of compliance and security,” he highlights robust security measures and regulatory compliance adopted by leading firms like Binance. The idea that “crypto is inherently unsafe” is countered by data showing criminal activity as a tiny fraction of overall transactions (0.14% in 2024), significantly less than traditional financial systems. Binance’s proactive risk management, including machine learning models, led to substantial recoveries for scam victims in 2024.
Looking ahead, Binance’s priorities for 2025 include continued education, enhanced user protection through advanced security and data privacy controls, and leading compliance standards by partnering with technology providers. The company aims for global market expansion, prioritizing regulatory approvals and expanding licensed operations in 21 countries to build trust. Binance also plans to diversify into biotech and AI, integrating cutting-edge technologies for innovation and diversified services.
