Key Takeaways
- • MEXC CEO Vugar Usi Zade and Payward Co-CEO Arjun Sethi used a TOKEN2049 Singapore panel to argue that crypto and traditional finance are converging toward a single, always-on trading environment.
- • Vugar predicted convergence "toward a singular platform where asset classes and investments can move quickly and smoothly" over the next five years, and said retail users will be the main driver.
- • Sethi framed 24/7 trading as fundamentally a collateral problem: "how do you bring all that collateral into one place?"
- • Sethi explicitly named MEXC as a partner, saying platforms must work with partners "to be able to help succeed in their core markets" as their global user base expands.
- • The panel was disclosed in a company-issued GlobeNewswire press release, and the remarks are management commentary rather than announced transaction terms or financial results.
Summary
MEXC and Payward, the parent company of Kraken, discussed the convergence of crypto and traditional finance (TradFi) during a panel at TOKEN2049 Singapore, according to a GlobeNewswire press release issued October 9, 2026. MEXC, which describes itself as a pioneer in 0-fee digital asset trading, was represented by CEO Vugar Usi Zade. Payward was represented by Co-CEO Arjun Sethi. Pre-event coverage indicated the session was scheduled for October 7 at the MEXC Stage, and that the two companies had signaled intent to explore broader collaboration ahead of the conference.
The central theme of the discussion was the move toward more connected, always-on markets. Vugar argued that blockchain infrastructure is challenging traditional market structures built around fixed trading hours, while users increasingly expect access to multiple asset classes through a seamless experience. He said, "Over the next five years, we'll see a convergence toward a singular platform where asset classes and investments can move quickly and smoothly," adding that "Retail will be the main driver." Sethi addressed the infrastructure requirements behind this shift, characterizing continuous trading as principally a question of consolidating collateral within a more integrated financial environment.
The panelists also emphasized partnership as a route to scale. Sethi argued that reaching a much larger global user base will require platforms to work with partners that bring complementary strengths in their home markets, and he named MEXC as one such partner. Both speakers presented collaboration, rather than direct competition, as central to building the next generation of global trading platforms.
The release contains no transaction values, user metrics, or financial results, and its account of the panel comes from the participating companies. Its characterizations of the market outlook should therefore be read as management perspective rather than independently verified analysis.
The central theme of the discussion was the move toward more connected, always-on markets. Vugar argued that blockchain infrastructure is challenging traditional market structures built around fixed trading hours, while users increasingly expect access to multiple asset classes through a seamless experience. He said, "Over the next five years, we'll see a convergence toward a singular platform where asset classes and investments can move quickly and smoothly," adding that "Retail will be the main driver." Sethi addressed the infrastructure requirements behind this shift, characterizing continuous trading as principally a question of consolidating collateral within a more integrated financial environment.
The panelists also emphasized partnership as a route to scale. Sethi argued that reaching a much larger global user base will require platforms to work with partners that bring complementary strengths in their home markets, and he named MEXC as one such partner. Both speakers presented collaboration, rather than direct competition, as central to building the next generation of global trading platforms.
The release contains no transaction values, user metrics, or financial results, and its account of the panel comes from the participating companies. Its characterizations of the market outlook should therefore be read as management perspective rather than independently verified analysis.
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