Jihan Wu (Bitdeer)
Overview
Jihan Wu, born in Chongqing, China, in 1986, is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry, primarily known for co-founding Bitmain Technologies, a leading manufacturer of bitcoin mining hardware. Wu is currently the CEO of Bitdeer, a spin-off from Bitmain, which focuses on cryptocurrency mining services. He is also the founder of Matrixport, a financial services company for cryptocurrencies. His influence extends beyond these companies, as he played a crucial role in promoting Bitcoin Cash, a hard fork of Bitcoin. Wu holds a degree in Economics and Psychology from Peking University and is considered one of the top industry leaders in cryptocurrency mining and technology.
Recent Developments
- April 2025: Bitdeer announced major expansions in its ASIC production and increased focus on self-mining operations. This strategic shift comes during a period of increasing competition and declining hardware sales in the mining sector.
- Bitdeer secured a $60 million loan to enhance its Bitcoin ASIC production capabilities, which is part of a larger $200 million credit arrangement facilitated through Matrixport, an affiliated company founded by Wu.
- March 2025: Jihan Wu re-assumed the role of CEO at Bitdeer to steer the company's strategic direction amidst fluctuating cryptocurrency market conditions.
- Bitdeer also announced mass production of their SEALMINER A3, aiming for a 40 EH/s hashrate goal by the end of 2025.
- February 2025: Bitdeer faced critical scrutiny over financial transparency and governance issues following a detailed report by Callisto Research. Despite the scrutiny, Wu openly refuted the claims, asserting their baseless nature.
- January 2024: Wu reorganized Bitdeer's leadership by appointing Linghui Kong as Chief Business Officer, enabling a focused development drive into AI and high-performance computing.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jihan Wu |
| Born | 1986, Chongqing, China |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Occupation | CEO of Bitdeer |
| Known For | Co-founder of Bitmain, Bitcoin mining |
| Net Worth | Estimated $2.5 billion (2025) |
| Education | Economics and Psychology, Peking University |
Early Life and Education
Jihan Wu was born in Chongqing, China, in 1986, displaying academic aptitude from an early age. He pursued higher education at Peking University, where he graduated with dual degrees in economics and psychology. This strong foundation in economics enabled Wu to grasp the intricacies of financial markets and human behavior, pivotal in his future endeavors in the burgeoning field of cryptocurrency. His academic pursuit laid the groundwork for his deep understanding of the technology and finance sectors, a combination that proved advantageous in his entrepreneurial ventures.
Career and Notable Achievements
Jihan Wu's career began with his venture into Bitcoin in 2011, where he translated Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin whitepaper into Mandarin, making the revolutionary idea accessible to a larger Chinese audience. This act significantly catalyzed Bitcoin's popularity in China.
- 2013: Co-founded Bitmain with Micree Zhan. The company developed the Antminer line of ASIC chips, revolutionizing the Bitcoin mining process.
- 2017: Played a pivotal role in creating Bitcoin Cash by advocating for increased transaction capacity, leading to its hard fork from Bitcoin.
- 2019: Founded Matrixport, a comprehensive financial services platform for digital assets, facilitating trading, lending, and asset management.
- 2020: Transitioned from Bitmain to lead Bitdeer, focusing on expanding its global mining infrastructure.
- 2021: Successfully settled a leadership dispute with Micree Zhan, allowing Bitdeer to split from Bitmain and continue operations under his vision.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Jihan Wu serves as the CEO of Bitdeer, focusing on expanding the company's capabilities in cryptocurrency mining and high-performance computing. Under his leadership, Bitdeer is pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology and seeking to integrate AI solutions into its operations. Wu's strategic focus includes enhancing energy efficiency in mining operations and expanding Bitdeer's data center footprint globally. His forward-thinking approach aims to position Bitdeer at the forefront of technological innovation in the crypto space.
Jihan Wu Net Worth
Jihan Wu's net worth is estimated to be around $2.5 billion as of 2025, driven by his successful ventures in cryptocurrency mining and blockchain technology.
Jihan Wu Matrixport
Matrixport has become a notable player in the crypto-financial services sector under Wu's leadership, providing innovative solutions such as lending, trading, and custody services to institutional and retail investors alike. The platform's rapid expansion reflects Wu's strategic acumen in creating synergies between digital asset management and traditional financial systems.
Micree Zhan
Wu's initial partnership with Micree Zhan at Bitmain was seminal in shaping the landscape of cryptocurrency mining. Despite their eventual business split, both individuals have significantly impacted the technology and financial frameworks underlying the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Conclusion
Jihan Wu remains a dynamic force in the cryptocurrency industry, with a career marked by significant achievements in mining technology and blockchain financial services. His leadership of Bitdeer and Matrixport underscores a commitment to pioneering innovations that continue to shape the future of digital currencies and decentralized finance. As global interest in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology grows, Wu's contributions will likely have sustained influence on the industry's trajectory.