Irina Zarutska, the former Chief Executive Officer of WhiteBIT, a prominent European cryptocurrency exchange, officially departed from her role in January 2025. Her exit, which the company stated was due to personal reasons and part of a planned leadership transition, has since been followed by new strategic decisions at WhiteBIT that have drawn criticism from various industry commentators, including crypto analyst Ran Neuner.
Neuner, a well-known voice in the cryptocurrency space, voiced strong disapproval of WhiteBIT's recent operational shifts via a tweet. "This is the reason Irina Zarutska is gone! There will be many more unfortunately if clowns like this get power…," Neuner stated in his social media post, linking to content that reportedly detailed the new policies. His critique implies a connection between Zarutska's departure and what he perceives as detrimental changes implemented by the exchange's current leadership.
Sources close to WhiteBIT, including reports from CoinDesk and The Block, initially indicated Zarutska's resignation was amicable and a result of strategic disagreements regarding the company's future growth trajectory. Her tenure saw significant expansion for WhiteBIT, positioning it as a key player in the European crypto market.
However, following her departure, WhiteBIT has reportedly introduced new policies concerning aspects such as token listing fees, Know Your Customer (KYC) changes, or withdrawal limits. These changes have sparked community backlash and have been the subject of debate among crypto analysts. Decrypt reported that WhiteBIT's new management has addressed these concerns, defending their strategic shifts as necessary for long-term growth and compliance within a volatile market.
The controversy highlights the ongoing challenges faced by cryptocurrency exchanges in balancing rapid innovation with regulatory demands and community expectations. While WhiteBIT's new leadership asserts these strategic adjustments are vital for its future, the strong reactions from figures like Ran Neuner underscore the industry's sensitivity to perceived shifts in user-centric policies and overall market direction.