MaskEX, a rapidly expanding third-generation crypto exchange, headquartered in Dubai, has announced the launch of its crypto-backed Virtual Card, enabling users to spend their crypto as fiat in more than 176 countries with over 50 million merchants worldwide. This new feature is now available to all ID-verified MaskEX users.
MaskEX has also announced that Ben Caselin, former Head of Research and Strategy at Hong Kong-based crypto exchange AAX, has joined MaskEX in the role of Vice President. Drawing on nearly 4 years at AAX, Mr. Caselin has played an important role in driving the mainstream adoption of bitcoin and digital assets through the platform, especially in emerging markets. At MaskEX, Mr. Caselin will oversee all global and localized marketing, communications and business development initiatives.
“We are excited to offer our users the ability to spend their crypto wherever and whenever they want with the launch of the MaskEX Virtual Card,” said Eric Yang, CEO of MaskEX. “Our vision is to make crypto more accessible and find ways to integrate crypto more with people’s everyday lives.”
“We are also delighted to be joined by Ben Caselin, not only because we believe he can play a vital role in our global expansion efforts, but also because of the terrible situation he has witnessed up close at AAX, following the collapse of FTX in late 2022. As we have observed, he puts users before business, and in reaching out to Ben, we have specifically asked him to be uncompromising and closely scrutinize our operations.”
“As a third-generation crypto exchange we are one of only 18 centralized exchanges globally that provide Proof-of-Reserves,” said Mr. Yang, “and with Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, under Sheikh Hamad Rakadh Salem Hamad Alameri, as a major stakeholder, we know we are in a very good place to compete with the world’s biggest trading platforms.”
On joining MaskEX, Mr. Caselin stated that “while the industry is still suffering from contagion and a severe lack of investor confidence, we cannot afford to give up now.”
“At this stage in the development of this nascent industry, properly managed centralized exchanges can still play an important role in raising awareness around digital assets, providing a point of contact for regulators, cooperating with the existing banking sector and payment providers to accelerate integration, and, of course, in driving the mainstream uptake of bitcoin and digital assets everywhere.”
