From Manus' Xiao Hong: The Crypto Interns Who Made It to the Big Leagues
The article "From Manus' Xiao Hong to Those Crypto Interns Who Made It Big" explores the early careers of several key figures in the cryptocurrency and tech industries, highlighting how their internships and early roles during Bitcoin's formative years shaped their later success.
In late 2025, Meta acquired AI company Manus, founded by Xiao Hong, who was revealed to be an early Bitcoin holder. Xiao, now a Meta VP, had his first internship in 2013 at Yibit, one of China’s earliest Bitcoin media companies, founded by prominent miner Mao Shixing (aka "Shenyu"). This experience exposed him to decentralized systems and crypto ideals that later informed his work in AI.
The piece also tells the story of Ge Yuesheng, a 21-year-old intern who became an early angel investor in Bitmain, providing crucial funding and resources. He eventually co-founded Matrixport and became one of the youngest crypto billionaires.
Another example is Wang Hui, OKCoin’s first employee, who built its technical infrastructure from scratch. After leaving, he co-founded JEX, which was later bought by Binance.
These stories underscore common themes: timing (entering crypto during its 2013–2017 "chaotic" early days), the importance of following visionary leaders, and a willingness to embrace risk and uncertainty. While these are survivor stories, they illustrate how early exposure to crypto’s foundational ideas provided a unique vector for recognizing future tech trends—from Bitcoin to AI.
The article concludes by reflecting on the rapid evolution of the industry, where a decade can transform an intern into a billionaire, and emphasizes the unpredictable, high-reward nature of betting early on emerging technologies.
marsbit01/09 03:53
