AscendEX, formerly known as BitMax, is a cryptocurrency exchange that was founded in 2018 by Dr. George Cao and Ariel Ling. Dr. Cao is a former quantitative trading strategist at Wall Street firms such as Barclays Capital and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Ariel Ling, on the other hand, has extensive experience in marketing and business development in the blockchain industry. Together, they founded BitMax with the goal of creating a platform that offers high-performance trading and innovative financial products to its users.

The exchange officially launched in August 2018 and has since grown to become one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. It is headquartered in Singapore, with additional offices in New York, Hong Kong, and Beijing. The exchange is known for its advanced trading features, including a sophisticated matching engine that can handle up to 400,000 transactions per second. It also offers a wide range of trading pairs, including BTC, ETH, USDT, and many others.

AscendEX has gained a reputation for being a reliable and secure platform for trading cryptocurrencies. It has implemented a number of security measures to protect its users' funds, including two-factor authentication, cold storage, and regular security audits. The exchange also offers a user-friendly interface and a range of educational resources to help users navigate the complex world of cryptocurrency trading. With its strong team of experienced professionals and commitment to innovation, AscendEX is poised to continue growing and expanding its reach in the years to come.