{"id":"ray-chan","title":"Ray Chan","content":"**Ray Chan Chin-ching** (陳展程) is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the global social media and entertainment platform 9GAG. Chan has since expanded his work into the [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) sector, founding the venture studio [Memeland](https://iq.wiki/wiki/memeland) and serving as the Chairman and CEO of MemeStrategy Inc., a publicly listed virtual asset company.\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=-fUOBvun8iw)$$\n\n## Early Life\n\nChan was born in Hong Kong in 1984 and grew up in a public housing estate. From an early age, he developed an interest in technology and media. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-3pE7K4HcIP)\n\n## Education\n\nRay Chan attended the University of Hong Kong, where he studied in the Faculty of Law and earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree between 2003 and 2006. During his time at the university, he was an active participant in extracurricular activities, serving as the captain of the debate teams for both the University of Hong Kong and its residential college, Ricci Hall. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-Q9AZ1wWYN9) [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-qMwAZbM9Oa) [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-3pE7K4HcIP)\n\n## Career\n\nChan's career path transitioned from law and media to technology and entrepreneurship. After graduating, he worked briefly in the legal department of a bank before moving into media, where he was an anchor and reporter for Now TV. He later held positions as a project manager at an information technology company and as a product manager for the social cataloging website aNobii, which he joined in 2007. Before achieving success, Chan attempted to launch two websites, one for sharing cosmetics and another for information on electrical appliances, both of which failed, which served as a basis for later work with [cryptocurrencies](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency). [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-3pE7K4HcIP) [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-qMwAZbM9Oa)\n\n### 9GAG\n\nIn 2008, while still employed at aNobii, Chan co-founded 9GAG with four partners as a side project. The platform was initially created as an efficient way for the founders to share humorous images. The name \"9GAG\" is derived from a Cantonese term that translates to \"make a bad joke.\" The site's early content was primarily Cantonese-based but quickly attracted an international audience, which Chan attributed to the universal nature of visual humor. In response, the platform shifted to more English and image-heavy content. [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-x78gttWxm7)\n\nChan quit his job in 2011 to focus on 9GAG full-time. The company participated in the accelerator programs of Y Combinator and 500 Global (formerly 500 Startups), securing $2.8 million in seed funding. Under Chan's leadership as CEO, 9GAG grew into a major global brand in internet culture, amassing a global audience of over 200 million followers across its social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). In 2020, the company transitioned to a fully remote work model, eliminating its physical office. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-3pE7K4HcIP) [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-qMwAZbM9Oa) [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-ZuqOHLq3zD)\n\n### Expansion into Web3: Memeland\n\nIn 2022, Chan launched Memeland, a Web3-focused venture studio spun out of 9GAG. [Memeland](https://iq.wiki/wiki/memeland) was created to build and invest in social products that incorporate community ownership through [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) technology, NFTs, and GameFi. The project's mission is to bridge the gap between 9GAG's large Web2 audience and the emerging [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) ecosystem. [\\[6\\]](#cite-id-JlkZjnMVwn) [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-PYw9kQvMgQ)\n\nOne of Memeland's most notable projects was the launch of [Memecoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/memecoin-meme) (MEME) in late 2023. The launch was structured with a gradual token release and an 18-month vesting schedule for early participants, a strategy designed to foster price stability and encourage long-term community engagement. [\\[8\\]](#cite-id-htsWLtDEn4)\n\n### MemeStrategy Inc.\n\nChan further solidified his move into the digital asset space in April 2025 when he acquired a controlling stake in Howking Technology International Holdings Limited, a company publicly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 2440). He was appointed Chairman and CEO and initiated the process of rebranding the company to MemeStrategy Inc. The venture is positioned as Asia's first publicly listed virtual asset ecosystem, with a strategic focus on three pillars: Artificial Intelligence (AI), [Blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain), and Culture. [\\[9\\]](#cite-id-RHMAfZkzz3)\n\nMemeStrategy's business plan includes incorporating [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) and other virtual assets into its corporate treasury, investing in [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) and AI projects, and developing initiatives for the creator economy. The company's board includes key members from 9GAG and [Memeland](https://iq.wiki/wiki/memeland), as well as notable independent non-executive directors such as Sandy Peng, co-founder of [Scroll](https://iq.wiki/wiki/scroll), and Wesley Ng, co-founder and CEO of CASETiFY. [\\[10\\]](#cite-id-uxO0uQcu4V)\n\n### Angel Investments\n\nChan is also an active angel investor in the [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) sector. His investment portfolio includes a range of startups focused on gaming, [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) (DeFi), and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) infrastructure. Some of his notable investments include:\n\n* **Pixelmon:** An open-world RPG NFT game.\n* **Thruster:** A native [decentralized exchange](https://iq.wiki/wiki/decentralized-exchange) (DEX) on the [Blast](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blast) network.\n* **Zentry:** A \"Gaming Superlayer\" designed to integrate loyalty systems and gamer identities.\n* **Frame:** An [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) [Layer 2](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-2) rollup focused on creator royalties.\n* **Chillchat:** A pixel art NFT [metaverse](https://iq.wiki/wiki/metaverse).\n\nThese investments reflect his focus on supporting the growth of the broader digital asset ecosystem. [\\[11\\]](#cite-id-GDTpXJgq58)\n\n## Board and Advisory Roles\n\nOutside of his primary ventures, Chan serves in several advisory capacities. Since 2022, he has been an Honorary Advisor for World Vision Hong Kong, a global humanitarian organization. He has also served as a Board Member for the Hong Kong Genome Institute, an organization focused on genomic medicine, since 2020. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-Q9AZ1wWYN9)\n\n## Philosophy and Views\n\nChan has publicly shared his perspectives on entrepreneurship, company culture, and the evolution of the internet. He prioritizes hiring individuals with \"great character,\" stating that technical skills can be taught while personality is inherent. For 9GAG's culture, he values empathy over humor, as the platform's goal is to \"touch people's emotions.\" [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-x78gttWxm7)\n\nRegarding his work in Web3, Chan has emphasized the need for sustainable, community-focused growth. In a 2023 talk, he stated, \"We don’t need more investors in [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3). We need more customers.\" He views [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) as a tool to create a new \"ownership layer\" for the internet, redefining the relationship between creators and their fans by giving them a tangible stake in the communities they support. [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-PYw9kQvMgQ)\n\nHe has also been candid about the difficulties of innovating in the space, noting the contradictory pressures from the community. In one social media post, he wrote:\n\n> \"IT'S DAMN HARD TO BUILD IN \\[WEB3] - (https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3). When you try something new, people ask you to repeat the old things. When you repeat the old things, people ask you to try something new.\" [\\[6\\]](#cite-id-JlkZjnMVwn)\n\n## Personal Life\n\nChan has spoken publicly about personal challenges, including the loss of his first son. He has stated that this experience provided him with a profound sense of perspective on other professional and personal issues, reinforcing his resilience. He has expressed a desire to be remembered as a \"good person who made a difference\" for his family and community. [\\[12\\]](#cite-id-GM2L0arPO2) [\\[13\\]](#cite-id-fk2Pvg957E)\n\n## Awards and Recognition\n\nChan's work in technology and media has received recognition from several industry publications.\n\n* In 2021, he was named to *Prestige* magazine's \"40 Under 40\" list for Hong Kong. [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-x78gttWxm7)\n* In 2024, [CoinDesk](https://iq.wiki/wiki/coindesk) included him in its annual \"Most Influential\" list, recognizing his role in bridging Web2 and [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) communities and his influence during the 2024 [memecoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/memecoins) market cycle. [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-PYw9kQvMgQ)\n\n## Interviews\n\n### Culture, Community, and Commitment in the Meme Economy #01\n\nOn May 22, 2025, Ray Chan appeared on the official YouTube channel of Solana during the Accelerate 2025: Lightning Talk series, in a session titled “Ship or Die: 9GAG ([MEME](https://iq.wiki/wiki/memecoin-meme))”. In this talk, Chan shared his perspective on nearly two decades of work across digital platforms, online culture, and the crypto ecosystem.\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=ppk9H3ZuhFA)$$\nAccording to Chan, his early experience began with co-founding Nigat, a site dedicated to sharing humorous images before meme culture and [cryptocurrencies](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) became mainstream. He described how online communities evolved alongside the spread of memes, which later intersected with the rise of NFTs and memecoins in [web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3). Entering the [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) space relatively late, Chan explained that he came to view NFTs not simply as digital art but as markers of social status and community identity.\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=ppk9H3ZuhFA)$$\nThis realization motivated him to launch multiple [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) initiatives and eventually introduce a memecoin token, which became one of the largest projects on Binance Launchpool in 2023. Chan also highlighted the acquisition of a publicly listed company in Hong Kong, rebranded as MemeStrategy, as a step to connect institutional investors with meme tokens. He argued that this development reflected a broader phase of maturity for the meme economy, bridging retail enthusiasm with traditional financial structures.\n\nThroughout the session, Chan emphasized lessons on culture, community, and long-term commitment. He noted that culture in [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) is dynamic, requiring both respect for early adopters and adaptability to new trends. He described the paradox of communities as essential yet fragile, often dispersing when token prices fall. For Chan, sustained commitment, rather than hype, is the critical factor for enduring success in the volatile [web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) environment. He concluded by framing challenges as opportunities for growth and underlined the importance of integrating personal values into work within the crypto sector. [\\[17\\]](#cite-id-IL2hgrO2Jq)\n\n### **Asia’s Role in Web3 Growth #02**\n\nOn October 4, 2023, Ray Chan, CEO of 9GAG and founder of [Memeland](https://iq.wiki/wiki/memeland), participated in a fireside chat organized by Now Media during The Gateway Korea. The session, moderated by [Gabriel Yang](https://iq.wiki/wiki/gabriel-yang), Director at ARC Community, addressed Chan’s views on the role of Asia in the development of [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) and [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft).\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y_V19vn0e5c)$$\nChan stated that Asia may lead the next cycle of growth in the [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) industry, citing cultural practices and economic conditions as contributing factors. He referred to persistence, collective identity, and a combination of effort with strategic planning as features that shape the region’s entrepreneurial environment. He contrasted these aspects with Western approaches, noting different perspectives on risk and innovation.\n\nThe discussion also covered the distribution of talent in [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3). Chan remarked that remote work has diminished the dependence on traditional startup hubs. He added that local policies and regulatory clarity in jurisdictions such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai have contributed to faster adoption in the region.\n\nA further point addressed was the trajectory of NFTs. Chan observed that many projects are affected by impatience and by the emphasis placed on short-term indicators such as floor prices. He stated that NFTs should not be understood solely as speculative assets but as mechanisms for community building, identity, and ownership.\n\nChan concluded by noting that projects concentrating primarily on immediate financial results risk losing community engagement. In his view, initiatives that integrate long-term planning with cultural and practical use cases are more likely to maintain relevance over time. [\\[18\\]](#cite-id-SrCmQdo3A8)","summary":"Ray Chan is a Hong Kong entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of 9GAG, and founder of the Web3 venture studio Memeland. He is also the Chairman and CEO of MemeStrategy, a publicly listed virtual asset ecosystem venture.","images":[{"id":"QmWoJm1VLphJ4C2M8auks7eux152AoihVhcNkgeUR2iFh6","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"tags":[{"id":"PeopleInDeFi"},{"id":"Founders"},{"id":"Speakers"}],"media":[{"id":"QmNTyQn7apPDdQLmz7KBsoNajQkBra6RF16TkXVQckeGYL","name":"1605677986968.jpeg","caption":"","thumbnail":"QmNTyQn7apPDdQLmz7KBsoNajQkBra6RF16TkXVQckeGYL","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"Qmdb2UHawV6TYri6WeFCtja9Ei2UaumKi3CrJM1ypC8yLJ","name":"20181018104310-IMG_7418_resized_773x381.png","caption":"","thumbnail":"Qmdb2UHawV6TYri6WeFCtja9Ei2UaumKi3CrJM1ypC8yLJ","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmZ53yFP1jHUuARLX9n8kfntc6iPk2S9Sv3pGVWp28X8ie","name":"Shot-7-Ray-Chan36331-copy-e1630741739208-649x900 (1).webp","caption":"","thumbnail":"QmZ53yFP1jHUuARLX9n8kfntc6iPk2S9Sv3pGVWp28X8ie","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fUOBvun8iw","name":"-fUOBvun8iw","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fUOBvun8iw","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_V19vn0e5c","name":"Y_V19vn0e5c","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_V19vn0e5c","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppk9H3ZuhFA","name":"ppk9H3ZuhFA","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppk9H3ZuhFA","source":"YOUTUBE"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[{\"id\":\"3pE7K4HcIP\",\"description\":\"LinkedIn: Ray Chan\",\"timestamp\":1759341496572,\"url\":\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/raychan/\"},{\"id\":\"Q9AZ1wWYN9\",\"url\":\"https://rocketreach.co/ray-chan-email\\\\_618426\",\"description\":\"RocketReach profile for Ray Chan\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"qMwAZbM9Oa\",\"url\":\"https://cwgspeakers.com/speaker/ray-chan/\",\"description\":\"CWG Speakers profile for Ray Chan\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"x78gttWxm7\",\"url\":\"https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/people/40-under-40/ray-chan/#google\\\\_vignette\",\"description\":\"Prestige Online 40 Under 40 feature\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"ZuqOHLq3zD\",\"url\":\"https://consensus-hongkong.coindesk.com/agenda/speaker/-ray-chan\",\"description\":\"Consensus Hong Kong speaker profile\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"JlkZjnMVwn\",\"url\":\"https://x.com/9gagceo\",\"description\":\"Ray Chan's official X profile\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"PYw9kQvMgQ\",\"url\":\"https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2024/12/10/ray-chan-bridging-web2-and-web3-with-memes\",\"description\":\"CoinDesk Most Influential 2024 feature\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"htsWLtDEn4\",\"url\":\"https://medium.com/@themintland/the-rise-of-memecoin-a-strategic-launch-by-9gag-ceo-ray-chan-56f4ebab2063\",\"description\":\"Medium article on Memecoin launch\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"RHMAfZkzz3\",\"url\":\"https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/9gag-founder-completes-acquisition-of-controlling-stake-in-howking-tech-2440hk-proposing-rename-to-memestrategy-set-to-become-asias-first-publicly-listed-virtual-asset-ecosystem-venture-302416945.html\",\"description\":\"PR Newswire press release on MemeStrategy acquisition\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"uxO0uQcu4V\",\"url\":\"https://fintechnews.hk/32931/blockchain/memestrategy-virtual-asset-ecosystem/\",\"description\":\"Fintech News Hong Kong on MemeStrategy\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"GDTpXJgq58\",\"url\":\"https://www.rootdata.com/member/Ray%20Chan?k=MTYxNDQ%3D\",\"description\":\"RootData profile of Ray Chan's investments\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"GM2L0arPO2\",\"url\":\"https://media.tatlerasia.com/podcasts/crypto-drama-silicon-valley-and-baby-loss-meet-ray-chan-of-9gag-and-memestrategy\",\"description\":\"Tatler Asia podcast summary\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"fk2Pvg957E\",\"url\":\"https://www.nftmorning.com/p/661-a-decentralized-interview-with\",\"description\":\"NFT Morning interview summary\",\"timestamp\":1759341335946},{\"id\":\"event-launched-memeland-link\",\"description\":\"Event link\",\"url\":\"https://x.com/9gagceo/status/1516781834649948160\",\"timestamp\":1759341336178},{\"id\":\"event-named-in-coindesk's-most-influential-2024-link\",\"description\":\"Event link\",\"url\":\"https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2024/12/10/ray-chan-bridging-web2-and-web3-with-memes\",\"timestamp\":1759341336178},{\"id\":\"event-became-chairman-&-ceo-of-memestrategy-link\",\"description\":\"Event link\",\"url\":\"https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/9gag-founder-completes-acquisition-of-controlling-stake-in-howking-tech-2440hk-proposing-rename-to-memestrategy-set-to-become-asias-first-publicly-listed-virtual-asset-ecosystem-venture-302416945.html\",\"timestamp\":1759341336178},{\"id\":\"IL2hgrO2Jq\",\"description\":\"Ship or Die at Accelerate 2025: Lightning Talk: 9GAG (Ray Chan - $MEME)\\n\",\"timestamp\":1759341870171,\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppk9H3ZuhFA\"},{\"id\":\"SrCmQdo3A8\",\"description\":\"Memeland’s Ray Chan: Why Asia Will Drive the Next Bull Run\\n\",\"timestamp\":1759342483818,\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_V19vn0e5c\"}]"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/9gagceo"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/raychan/"},{"id":"website","value":"https://memestrategy.com.hk/"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"\"https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/QmUutfSZ2irA483DKYcqGx9SgVGf2Ukb1NKES7SuT1FGb2\""},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"docs: Add 'Interviews' section with summaries of talks on Web3 and embedded videos.\""},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmUutfSZ2irA483DKYcqGx9SgVGf2Ukb1NKES7SuT1FGb2"}],"events":[{"id":"b78b137a-b172-4a48-9d9b-cc6f73cfc941","date":"2008-01","title":"Co-founded 9GAG","type":"CREATED","description":"Chan co-founded the online entertainment platform 9GAG as a side project, which grew into a global social media website with over 200 million users.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"7212fa1f-fa8f-4986-bfc2-115c131d2679","date":"2006-06","title":"Graduated from The University of Hong Kong","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Ray Chan graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from The University of Hong Kong, where he was also the captain of the university's debate team.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"c5ddf673-65c9-46c2-8ac9-a9e696fcc874","date":"2022-04","title":"Launched Memeland","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Chan launched Memeland, a Web3-focused venture studio by 9GAG, to build and invest in social products with community ownership, starting with NFTs.","link":"https://x.com/9gagceo/status/1516781834649948160","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"92bd019e-5cc8-4454-91ee-e3db3a176cdc","date":"2024-12","title":"Named in CoinDesk's Most Influential 2024","type":"DEFAULT","description":"CoinDesk recognized Ray Chan in its annual list of the most influential figures in the crypto industry for his work in bridging meme culture with Web3.","link":"https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2024/12/10/ray-chan-bridging-web2-and-web3-with-memes","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"b1ec95fe-95a6-4324-a636-41e228e822ee","date":"2025-04","title":"Became Chairman & CEO of MemeStrategy","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Chan acquired a controlling stake in a Hong Kong-listed company, renaming it MemeStrategy Inc. to create a virtual asset ecosystem venture.","link":"https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/9gag-founder-completes-acquisition-of-controlling-stake-in-howking-tech-2440hk-proposing-rename-to-memestrategy-set-to-become-asias-first-publicly-listed-virtual-asset-ecosystem-venture-302416945.html","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":[],"founders":[],"speakers":[]},"operator":{"id":"0xd5893989b9952c6568a99F854795AcC5Ae480D56"}}