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金洋洋 and the Rise of Yangyang Interviews in the Bitcoin World

The story of Jin Yangyang is deeply intertwined with the early evolution of the Bitcoin ecosystem in China. As the founder of Yangyang Interviews, one of the first video-based media platforms dedicated exclusively to Bitcoin and blockchain technology, Jin Yangyang—alongside her husband Guo Hongcai—helped shape public understanding and discourse around cryptocurrency during its formative years.

What began as a grassroots effort to document the people behind Bitcoin quickly evolved into a trusted voice within the community. Through candid interviews, on-the-ground reporting, and bold editorial choices, Yangyang Interviews became more than just a content channel—it was a cultural touchstone for early adopters navigating the volatile yet promising world of decentralized finance.

The Birth of a Crypto Media Pioneer

In mid-2013, Jin Yangyang and Guo Hongcai launched Yangyang Interviews, a bilingual video series focused on profiling key figures in the Bitcoin space. Their mission was clear: demystify Bitcoin through real human stories, technical insights, and transparent reporting.

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Their debut episode aired on July 17, 2013, featuring an interview with Zhang Shousong, CEO of Bitcoin Trading Network, discussing zero-fee trading models. This marked the beginning of a rapid content rollout that would see them cover developers, entrepreneurs, investors, and even victims of scams—all within months of Bitcoin’s rising mainstream attention.

At a time when reliable information was scarce and misinformation rampant, Yangyang Interviews filled a critical gap. They weren’t just reporting news—they were building trust, one interview at a time.

Expanding Reach: From Videos to Community Building

By August 2013, the show experimented with monetization by introducing password-protected content for subscribers (priced at 2 BTC/year or 1,200 RMB). However, by November 2013, they reversed course—canceling paid access and refunding all members. This decision reinforced their image as an independent, community-first platform rather than a profit-driven venture.

This period also saw Yangyang Interviews stepping beyond media into decentralized trust services. On September 30, 2013, they announced a 3,000 BTC credit guarantee fund. That same night, they successfully facilitated a 300,000 RMB exchange using this model—an early example of peer-to-peer trust mechanisms before DeFi protocols existed.

Their growing influence attracted major media collaborations. In November 2013, they partnered with 8btc (Babbitt) contributor Chang Jia to launch Bitcoin Daily News, a daily news segment. Although sponsorship from BTC China ended after eight episodes, the initiative highlighted their role as an aggregator and amplifier of vital industry updates.

The Bitcoin China Tour: Connecting the Ecosystem

One of Yangyang Interviews’ most ambitious projects was the Bitcoin China Tour, launched in February 2014. Starting in Kunming and spanning over 20 cities—including Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong—the tour organized local meetups known as “Bitcoin Salons.”

These events brought together developers, miners, traders, and enthusiasts across regional hubs. Each stop featured expert panels, startup showcases, and networking opportunities—all aimed at strengthening the fragmented Chinese Bitcoin community.

Major players supported the tour:

Local sponsors like Caiyun Bitcoin in Kunming further anchored the events in regional crypto culture.

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The tour wasn't just about exposure—it was about validation. By visiting exchanges, mining farms, and startups in person, Yangyang Interviews helped legitimize projects that were often dismissed as speculative or fraudulent.

Introducing "Yangyang Certification": A Bold Trust Mechanism

In March 2014, Yangyang Interviews launched "Yangyang Certification", a third-party verification program for cryptocurrency exchanges. A jury composed of community members evaluated platforms based on:

A 90% approval vote from the jury was required to earn the certification badge. While intended to increase transparency, the initiative sparked controversy—especially as competing exchanges began attacking each other publicly, sometimes escalating disputes internationally.

Despite criticism that the process lacked technical depth (e.g., no proof-of-reserves audits), it represented one of the earliest attempts at community-led exchange validation—a concept now central to modern Web3 governance.

Jin Yangyang defended the project in a March 20 blog post, clarifying that while full reserve proofs were technically possible, they required voluntary data sharing from exchanges—something coercion couldn’t achieve. Instead, Yangyang Interviews chose collaboration over confrontation.

Controversy and Influence: The Price of Visibility

With influence came scrutiny. In early 2014, two incidents—dubbed “March 21” and “April 15”—damaged the channel’s reputation. Critics accused Yangyang Interviews of colluding with market manipulators to promote false narratives that benefited certain traders or exchanges.

While no concrete evidence emerged, these allegations underscored a broader truth: in the unregulated world of early crypto, media power equaled market power. Simply covering a project could move prices—making neutrality nearly impossible.

Yet even amid controversy, their reach remained undeniable. They interviewed pivotal figures like:

Each interview offered rare glimpses into the minds shaping the infrastructure of decentralized finance.

Legacy in the Blockchain Narrative

Though Yangyang Interviews eventually faded from prominence after 2015 due to regulatory shifts and market maturation, its impact endures. It pioneered several now-standard practices:

Jin Yangyang’s work laid foundational stones for today’s crypto-native media landscape—from YouTube explainers to Substack newsletters analyzing Layer 2 rollups.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who is Jin Yangyang?
A: Jin Yangyang is the founder of Yangyang Interviews, an early video blog focused on Bitcoin and blockchain technology in China. She played a key role in documenting the growth of the Chinese crypto community between 2013 and 2015.

Q: What was the purpose of Yangyang Certification?
A: It was a community-driven verification system designed to assess the legitimacy and operational transparency of cryptocurrency exchanges through document checks and peer voting.

Q: Did Yangyang Interviews make money from sponsors?
A: While several companies sponsored the Bitcoin China Tour (like Huobi and OKCoin), Jin Yangyang stated they only accepted limited funding and emphasized independence in editorial decisions.

Q: Why did they stop charging for content?
A: In November 2013, they canceled paid subscriptions and refunded all users to maintain openness and accessibility—aligning with core Bitcoin values of decentralization and inclusivity.

Q: How did Yangyang Interviews influence crypto markets?
A: Due to their wide reach, being featured on the channel could significantly boost visibility—and sometimes price—for projects or individuals, giving them indirect market influence.

Q: Is Yangyang Interviews still active today?
A: The channel is no longer producing regular content, largely due to increased regulatory pressure in China on cryptocurrency-related activities post-2017.

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