MEXC COO Vugar Usi’s case for retail-first crypto exchanges is a strategy thesis, not proof that they are winning across the market. In a February 9, 2026 company release about his remarks at CoinGecko Meetup #33, MEXC said more than 90% of its 40 million users were retail traders and contrasted that with its claim that institutions generate 80% of volume at major exchanges. The release provides no method for either figure, so both should be read as MEXC’s claims—not independently verified industry statistics. MEXC’s release
What does “retail-first” mean in Usi’s argument?
A retail-first exchange is positioned around individual traders rather than primarily serving institutional clients. In MEXC’s account, the distinction is about whom the platform seeks to serve and how it competes: broad token access and a stated zero-fee model are presented as ways to appeal to individual users. The release does not define a formal category of “retail-first” exchanges or compare MEXC’s service and economics with named competitors.
Usi’s thesis responds to a market he described as becoming more institutionalized. MEXC’s February release asserted that institutions account for 80% of volume at major exchanges, but did not identify those exchanges or explain its calculation. That figure is therefore a company-reported comparison, not a verified sector-wide measurement.
What was the “2026 reset” Usi described?
The release, dated February 9, 2026, says Usi spoke at the previous week’s CoinGecko Meetup #33. MEXC characterized 2025 as volatile, citing the Bybit hack and the October “10.10” liquidation event. Usi’s analysis, as reported by the company, focused on two wider shifts:
- Greater acceptance: regulators and financial institutions were becoming more engaged with crypto, in Usi’s framing.
- Broader exchange services: exchanges were evolving beyond trading toward platforms that could also offer services such as payments.
These are Usi’s interpretations as conveyed in MEXC’s release, not independently established measures of market-wide change. The available account is a company press release and its distribution copy; it is not an independent transcript or recording of the meetup.
How does MEXC say its retail strategy works?
Retail-heavy user mix
MEXC said more than 90% of its 40 million users were retail traders. Both figures are company-reported in the February 2026 release, which does not provide an audit or methodology. The release also describes the platform as serving more than 170 countries, another company figure rather than an independently verified measure.
Rank #2
Broad listings and a stated zero-fee model
The release cites more than 3,000 listings while describing MEXC’s zero-fee offering across spot, derivatives, and tokenized assets. These are dated company claims, not a complete fee schedule or evidence that every transaction is cost-free. A reader comparing exchanges would need to check the applicable product, trading tier, jurisdiction, and any other charges in the current terms. The release does not supply enough detail to calculate an all-in cost or determine whether MEXC is cheaper for a particular user.
Trust and user protection
Usi said, “Making sure that someone actually trusts in you and trades with you is the actual sign of success.” MEXC also said it planned to strengthen user protections after launching its Guardian Fund in 2025. The release does not explain the fund’s coverage, exclusions, or ability to compensate users for specific losses, so the announcement alone cannot establish what protection an account holder would receive.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #3
- BUILT FOR YOUR MARKET, FUTURES, STOCKS, FOREX, OPTIONS & CRYPTO: 4X is a mindset and process journal, not a strategy tool tied to one instrument. The plan, the trade log, the deep dive and the weekly review work the same whether you trade ES, EURUSD, SPY or BTC. Traders use it across all five markets every day.
- THE 2026 EDITION, REBUILT FROM TRADER FEEDBACK: Same trusted system, better in every way. An extra daily page for more room to log the session. Weekly reviews now grouped with each week's trades, so no more flipping back and forth. Crisp, darker print that's easy on the eyes after hours on a screen. A Quick-Start QR that scans straight to step-by-step instructions.
- NOT A NOTEBOOK, A COMPLETE 12-WEEK SYSTEM: Start with a one-time 9-part Trading Plan (your market, setups, risk rules and discipline checklist). Then twelve identical weeks: five Daily Logs, five Deep Dive trade pages, and a two-page Weekly Review. 189 guided pages, roughly 80 trades. Guided prompts walk you through every step. You never stare at a blank page.
- RATE YOUR EXECUTION, NOT YOUR RESULT: Your platform tracks the P&L. Nothing tracks the why. Log energy, sleep and mindset before the open; grade every trade A to F on whether you followed your plan, not on whether it won; then face the pattern every weekend with START / STOP / IMPROVE / CONTINUE. That review habit is the edge. You're 42% more likely to hit a goal you've written down.
- BUILT TO LAST, ARRIVES GIFT-READY: Vegan-leather hardcover, 100gsm bleed-resistant paper, two ribbon markers and an elastic closure band. Bound to lay flat so you're not fighting the spine while you write. 189 pages, 5.75" x 8.5", carries in a bag. Ships in a premium gift box: the gift every trader in your life actually wants.
Are crypto exchanges becoming “super apps”?
That is part of Usi’s strategic argument: exchanges may combine trading with other services, including payments, rather than remain single-purpose trading venues. The release presents this as a direction of travel, not a catalogue of services available to every MEXC customer. It does not establish which payment features are live, where they can be used, or whether they are available in a particular reader’s jurisdiction.
For users, a wider service set could mean fewer separate platforms to manage, but it also makes comparison more complex. A useful assessment would distinguish the exchange’s trading products from any payment or other services, and check availability and terms for each rather than assume that a “super app” label guarantees one integrated experience.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the release show that retail-first exchanges are winning?
No—not on its own. It shows how MEXC’s COO framed the company’s position and how the company describes its user mix, listings, fees, and protection plans. It does not establish comparative performance, profitability, user retention, liquidity, or market share against competitors. Usi’s remark that “It’s not about how many users there are, it’s about the trading volumes” also underscores that a user count alone cannot settle the question; the release does not provide comparative volume data to do so.
Anyone comparing retail-oriented exchanges should look beyond positioning and verify the factors that affect their own use:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- All-in costs: current fees by product and trading tier, plus any other applicable charges.
- Asset access and liquidity: whether the assets are available to the user and whether trading conditions meet their needs.
- Custody and security: controls, account protections, and the details—not just the existence—of any protection fund.
- Local status and access: regulatory position and service availability in the user’s jurisdiction.
- Additional services: whether payments or other features are actually offered where the user lives and what terms apply.
Usi also urged investors to realize gains and use some money for life beyond the market: “The smartest investors aren’t just getting rich or poor on paper with the market’s swings. They’re the ones who know how to lock in profits, take some money off the table, and go do something fulfilling with it.” The release also attributes to him the line, “There’s always a good opportunity to buy and a great opportunity to sell.” These are remarks reported by MEXC, not individualized financial guidance or a substitute for a personal investment decision.
What the February 2026 market snapshot can—and cannot—tell you
MEXC’s release said Bitcoin was below $69,000 after an October 2025 peak of $126,000. Those are historical figures reported in the February 9, 2026 release, not current October 2026 prices or a forecast. The snapshot supplies context for the remarks but does not demonstrate that retail-first exchanges benefit from any particular price movement. GlobeNewswire’s distribution copy identifies MEXC as the source of the release and is not independent corroboration.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
