In November 2020, an ordinary envelope caught the attention of a front desk employee at OKLink Group. The return address was printed in red: Criminal Investigation Brigade, Xiaoshan District Public Security Bureau, Hangzhou. Inside was not a subpoena or legal notice—but a rare and heartfelt letter of appreciation from law enforcement:
"During a recent cyber-theft investigation, we discovered funds being transferred via digital assets. With your company’s blockchain data analytics tools—Chain Insight and the OKLink blockchain explorer—combined with your team’s deep expertise in blockchain forensics, we overcame major investigative hurdles. We sincerely thank you and hope to strengthen cooperation in building a secure digital asset ecosystem."
This moment marked more than just corporate recognition. It symbolized the rising influence of blockchain-powered security solutions in real-world crime prevention—and the quiet emergence of Xu Mingxing’s broader vision for blockchain’s role in society.
From Digital Transactions to Digital Trust
While Xu Mingxing is widely known as the founder of OKCoin, one of the world’s top-ranked digital asset exchanges, fewer recognize his deeper ambition: to build a comprehensive blockchain technology ecosystem that serves both industry and public good.
The launch of Chain Insight—a free, public-facing blockchain analytics tool—was not merely a product update. It was a strategic pivot toward blockchain for social infrastructure, empowering not just traders and enterprises, but also regulators and law enforcement agencies.
👉 Discover how blockchain analytics is transforming digital security today.
Why Blockchain Security Matters Now
As blockchain adoption accelerates, so do its risks. According to the Blockchain Security White Paper by China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), global losses from major blockchain-related security incidents between 2011 and 2018 exceeded $3 billion. Hacks, scams, money laundering, and illicit fund flows have become persistent challenges.
Traditional financial investigation tools often fail in decentralized environments due to:
- High technical barriers to understanding blockchain transactions
- Pseudonymous addresses that obscure real-world identities
- Complex transaction graphs spanning multiple chains and jurisdictions
- Lack of standardized forensic tools
Enter Chain Insight, developed by OKLink Group. By leveraging big data analytics and machine learning on on-chain activity, Chain Insight enables:
- Real-time transaction tracing
- Visualized funds flow mapping
- Suspicious address monitoring and alerts
- Support for anti-money laundering (AML) compliance
It is the first fully free, user-friendly platform offering such capabilities at scale—making blockchain transparency accessible to everyone.
Xu Mingxing: From Serial Entrepreneur to Blockchain Visionary
Xu Mingxing didn’t start out aiming to revolutionize financial infrastructure. A self-taught technologist inspired by Jack Ma’s entrepreneurial journey, he launched early ventures like Tuangwan.com and Docin.com—experiences that taught him resilience.
But everything changed in 2011 when he watched a line in the TV series The Good Wife:
“Bitcoin is the future. The real world is going to change.”
That sparked a deep dive into Satoshi Nakamoto’s whitepaper. Xu was captivated—not just by Bitcoin as currency, but by blockchain as a new architecture for trust.
In 2013, he founded OKCoin, which quickly rose to prominence with daily trading volumes peaking at $4 billion. But when China banned cryptocurrency trading in September 2017, Xu made a bold decision: shift focus from exchange operations to technology innovation and real-world applications.
Thus began the evolution of OKLink Group, now a multi-layered ecosystem encompassing:
- Blockchain browsers (OKLink)
- On-chain forensics (Chain Insight)
- Stablecoin issuance (USDK)
- Global digital asset trading platforms
- R&D labs and industry standards development
- Talent incubation programs ("Kunpeng Plan")
Today, OKLink Group operates in over 180 countries, with offices across North America, Europe, and Asia, serving more than 50 million users worldwide.
Building the "China Solution" for Global Blockchain Adoption
At the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services, OKLink Group VP Zhang Chao introduced what they call the "China Solution"—a model of self-developed, enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure designed for global scalability and regulatory compliance.
This includes:
- Proprietary data-layering technology reducing transmission costs
- Multi-chain parallel development frameworks accelerating dApp deployment
- Participation in drafting the industry’s first AML standard alongside Baidu, Xiaomi, and Qihoo 360
Zhang emphasized:
“We’re not just building tools—we’re building trust layers for the digital economy. Our goal is to export secure, reliable, and ethical blockchain innovation from China to the world.”
The results speak for themselves. In their 2020 interim report, OKLink Holdings (01499.HK) reported:
- HK$13.75 million in tech service revenue (up 69% YoY)
- First-time recognition of HK$110,000 in USDK-related service income
- Technology-driven revenue now accounting for 5.9% of total income, more than double the previous year
👉 See how next-gen blockchain infrastructure is reshaping finance and security.
Empowering Industries and Communities
Beyond profit, OKLink Group has taken active roles in social responsibility:
- Launched a RMB 10 million epidemic relief fund in early 2020
- Procured and delivered medical supplies globally during the pandemic
- Introduced the "Kunpeng Talent Program", aiming to train 1,000 blockchain experts within three years
By mid-2020, the group had hired nearly 300 blockchain specialists, a 30% increase YoY—highlighting both demand and commitment to talent development.
They’ve also published educational materials, hosted forums, and partnered with universities to demystify blockchain for policymakers and the public—helping shape informed discourse around this transformative technology.
The Road Ahead: Unlocking Blockchain’s Full Value
Blockchain is no longer just about cryptocurrencies. As highlighted in the China Blockchain Financial Application Report (2020), it's evolving into a foundational technology for:
- Supply chain traceability
- Cross-border payments
- Digital identity
- Intellectual property protection
- Government transparency
With national support—including blockchain’s inclusion in China’s “New Infrastructure” strategy and mentions in the 13th Five-Year Plan—the stage is set for widespread adoption.
Yet, as Zhang Chao notes:
“The true value of blockchain will take time to unfold. What we need now is collective effort—enterprises, developers, regulators—to co-build a safe and sustainable ecosystem.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Chain Insight?
A: Chain Insight is a blockchain analytics tool developed by OKLink Group that allows users to trace transactions, analyze wallet addresses, and monitor suspicious on-chain activities—used by both individuals and law enforcement agencies.
Q: Is Chain Insight free to use?
A: Yes. Chain Insight is the first comprehensive on-chain analysis platform offered completely free to all users.
Q: What is USDK?
A: USDK is a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin issued by OKLink Group, designed for fast, low-cost cross-border transactions with full reserve transparency.
Q: How does Chain Insight help fight crime?
A: It enables investigators to map fund flows across blockchains, identify clusters of malicious wallets, and generate forensic reports—turning opaque transactions into actionable intelligence.
Q: Where is OKLink Group headquartered?
A: While operating globally, OKLink Group’s primary listing is on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under ticker 01499.HK.
Q: Can developers use OKLink’s APIs?
A: Yes. OKLink provides robust API access for blockchain data, powering third-party applications in security, compliance, and financial services.
The story of Xu Mingxing and OKLink Group reflects a broader shift: from viewing blockchain as speculative tech to recognizing it as critical digital infrastructure. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, tools like Chain Insight aren’t just innovative—they’re essential.
And as blockchain continues to mature, one thing becomes clear: the future of trust isn’t just decentralized—it’s being rebuilt, one block at a time.
👉 Explore how you can leverage secure blockchain solutions for your needs.