Pioneering the Next Era in Crypto Market Making

Kronos Research: Pioneering the Next Era in crypto Market Making

Kronos Research has firmly established itself as a leader in the cryptocurrency High-Frequency Trading (HFT) and market-making sector since its inception in 2018. The Taiwan-based firm, founded by Jack Tan and Mark Pimentel, has significantly shaped the crypto trading landscape, contributing over $1 trillion in liquidity and catering to a wide array of exchanges,  both centralized and decentralized. Now, under the dynamic leadership of CEO Hank Huang and COO Vincent Liu, Kronos is poised for unprecedented growth and setting the stage to outpace other industry giants. 

Huang, an esteemed MIT graduate with a strong background in high-frequency trading, and Liu, a Carnegie Mellon alumnus and former Head of Asset Management at Kronos, are leveraging their wealth of experience to drive the company towards strategic global expansion, diversification into the decentralized exchange (DEX) sector, and a steadfast commitment to long-term value creation. As the cryptocurrency market shows signs of rebounding, Kronos, stands ready to spearhead innovation and set new industry standards under their visionary leadership.

With the cryptocurrency market slowly rebounding, Kronos Research is positioned for success, armed with strategies honed during challenging times. The company’s unwavering dedication to long-term value creation has propelled it to leverage the prolonged bear market as an opportunity to invest in fortifying its quantitative research capabilities and honing its trading strategies and market acumen.

COO Vincent articulates that this long-term vision is not just a corporate mantra but deeply ingrained in the company’s culture, driving Kronos's strategic diversification, and forging partnerships with various projects and exchanges. Notably, in 2021, the company expanded its reach by moving into the decentralized exchange (DEX) sector, establishing itself as a key liquidity provider for blockchain-based Central Limit Order Book (CLOB) DEXs, as well as other types of DEXs and DeFi protocols. They've adopted various models like Request for Quotation (RFQ) and Liquidity Pools (LP) to cater to different platforms, including 1inch and WOOFi.

Beyond the crypto sector, Kronos is setting its sights on traditional financial markets, starting with The London Metal Exchange. The company is innovatively incorporating alternative data as trading signals to boost its Alpha. Internationally, Kronos is broadening its global footprint, while strategically positioning its business development teams worldwide, elevating its role from participant to influencer in major industry events, and forming strategic alliances with other industry powerhouses, like dYdX and Hashed.

With the cryptocurrency market showing signs of resurgence, Kronos is not just ready but strategically positioned to capitalize on an impending bull market. The company's focus is clear - to adapt, evolve, and lead in the rapidly changing landscape of crypto trading.

Huang’s Optimistic Outlook

Under CEO Hank Huang’s leadership, Kronos Research navigates the evolving crypto landscape with a resolute optimism grounded in thorough analysis and keen market observation. Huang, recognizing the cyclical nature of the crypto market, underscores the potential onset of a bull market, reflecting the company’s forward-thinking ethos.

Huang highlights the four-year cycle of the cryptocurrency market, influenced by various factors from Bitcoin halving events to global monetary policies. While each cycle attracts a variety of participants, not all are equipped to navigate its complexities. He stresses the importance of rational decision-making and legal compliance, noting that these qualities are essential for firms looking to achieve sustainable growth in this competitive field, or else find themselves eliminated during bear markets.

With its status as an emerging market, cryptocurrency offers unparalleled growth potential, a fact not lost on Huang. He envisions transformative developments, such as Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF) approvals, attracting a wider array of investors, from institutional players to retirement funds. A small investment from a major financial institution like BlackRock, as Huang notes, could dramatically revolutionize the industry's landscape.

 

Kronos's Core Values

What sets Kronos Research apart in the competitive landscape of cryptocurrency trading is its strong guiding ethos, a feature that serves as the bedrock for every facet of the company, from decision-making and strategy formulation to partnerships. CEO Hank Huang emphasizes adaptability and the ongoing sharpening of core skills, which are especially essential in an ever-changing and volatile industry. Consistency and dedication to growth are paramount, irrespective of market conditions, a principle reinforced by COO Vincent Liu, who highlights the importance of a strategic focus on research and diversified strategies.

In the zero-sum game of cryptocurrency trading, where Kronos frequently competes with other top-tier trading firms, having a robust trading system is a given. Yet, Kronos sets itself apart with an uncompromising pursuit of excellence, ensuring its systems are unparalleled in performance and reliability.

Kronos’s unique origin story and unwavering commitment to excellence further underscore its leading position in the high-frequency trading sector. Born during a bear market, the company has transcended expectations; not only weathering the storm but evolving into a paragon of resilience and innovation, equipped with a top-tier talent pool and cutting-edge technology.

 

Talent: A Strategic Pillar

As Kronos Research gears up for global expansion, including the upcoming launch of a new office in Singapore, the company is actively tapping into major financial hubs like Hong Kong, seeking the industry’s best and brightest. CEO Hank Huang, with over five years of experience in the field, is pioneering a holistic approach to talent acquisition and development, recognizing that success in the volatile crypto market requires more than technical prowess; it necessitates a deep-seated commitment to the market’s long-term prospects.

Specialized roles in areas such as quantitative trading and programming necessitate a high level of technical acumen. However, Kronos's philosophy on talent goes beyond mere technical proficiency. The company entrusts junior team members with mission-critical roles early on, while offering managerial staff considerable creative latitude.

The company’s five core principles are not just guidelines; they are the foundation of Kronos’s organizational culture, fostering an environment conducive to innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

 

More about Hank Huang and Vincent Liu

Both Huang and Liu bring a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to Kronos. Huang began his career at Allston Trading, excelling in High-Frequency Trading. He co-founded 84 LLC and Coinful Capital, developing trading systems and strategies. He joined Kronos as CTO in 2019 and quickly moved up the ranks to become the CEO, achieving top market maker rankings in the process. He holds degrees in Computer Science and Finance from MIT.

Liu, before his role as COO, led Asset Management at Kronos, overseeing risk and trading operations. His trading career began at Belvedere Trading, an option market maker, where he spent over eight years culminating in his role as Partner and Director of Electronic Trading. Liu holds a BS and MS in Electrical Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.