OKX abruptly terminated Felix Fan, the spokesperson for X Layer, leading to community unrest and speculation. The President of OKX indirectly accused Binance of poaching its talent, raising further questions.
The two exchanges have faced some disagreements recently, but a systematic poaching effort would be a minor controversy. Nonetheless, with no clear resolution in sight, OKX’s handling of the matter may lead to discontent.
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OKX and Binance Feud
Since the launch of X Layer, its L2 network, last year, Felix Fan has been the official spokesperson and “Builder #001” of the protocol.
Despite gaining a significant following through community engagement, the community was taken aback today when X Layer announced his removal.
X Layer’s statement was rather vague, hinting at a conflict of interest and ethical breaches. Fan has remained silent, leading to community speculation.
However, a recent post from OKX President Hong Fang provides some insight, indicating that Binance was involved.
Although the OKX President’s post did not explicitly mention Fan’s removal or Binance, it included strong criticism aimed at a “certain competitor.”
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This competitor, referred to as “BN”, reportedly attempted to poach OKX’s talent by making enticing offers and then discarding these employees. Hong’s post followed Fan’s removal, making it appear as a response.
Murky Rumors and Meme Coin Bets
OKX and Binance have recently been in a low-key conflict, making it apparent that “BN” points to the world’s largest exchange.
This suggests Binance sought to lure Fan with an appealing offer, but he didn’t voluntarily leave; instead, he was dismissed. The specifics of his violation remain unclear.
Fortunately, the community’s rumor mill has been buzzing with theories. One supporter claimed that Fan was engaged in a friendly wager related to meme coins with OKX’s CEO, betting that XDOG, X Layer’s leading meme coin, would outperform a Binance product.
However, XDOG subsequently fell, and Fan congratulated CZ afterward. The original post has reportedly been deleted, and the available screenshot is in Mandarin, making it less clear to interpret. Regardless, this brief exchange may have escalated tensions between OKX and Binance.
Ultimately, whatever occurred leaves many variables at play. It’s uncertain whether Fan will gravitate toward Binance or if the exchange will address OKX’s allegations.
This ambiguous scenario has stirred strong emotions among OKX supporters. The company’s reputation may continue to suffer if more clarity isn’t provided.
