Rifad Mahasneh

Biography

Rifad Mahasneh is the Chief Executive Officer of OKX in the Middle East and North Africa, where he leads the company’s growth and regulatory engagement across one of the world’s most strategically important digital asset markets. Since joining OKX, Rifad has overseen the expansion of the company’s regional footprint, deepened relationships with regulators and institutional partners, and helped position OKX as a trusted, compliant platform for both retail and institutional users across the MENA region. Under his leadership, OKX has expanded its regulated presence in the UAE with the continued build-out of local operations and the official opening of a new Dubai office employing more than 100 people, while introducing localized products and services including tailored on- and off-ramps, regional market support, and solutions designed for both high-volume retail participants and professional clients. With more than 15 years of experience spanning business strategy, operations, and public policy, Rifad brings a deep understanding of how technology-driven platforms scale in regulated environments. At OKX, he has driven several landmark initiatives, including the launch of regulated retail derivatives in the UAE—marking a major milestone for compliant product expansion in the region—and strengthening institutional partnerships through collaborations with regional financial institutions and infrastructure providers such as Standard Chartered Bank to enhance fiat rails, custody connectivity, and institutional-grade market access. He has also increased OKX’s engagement with policymakers and regulators, contributing to regional dialogues on market structure, stablecoins, and institutional adoption, further supporting the UAE’s position as a global digital assets hub. Prior to OKX, he served as Vice President and General Manager of Rain Financial in the UAE, where he played a key role in building and operating one of the region’s earliest regulated crypto exchanges. Earlier in his career, Rifad led Uber’s ride-hailing business across the GCC and the Levant, managing multi-market operations and supporting the company’s growth during a period of rapid regional expansion.