Haider Rafique is a global marketing executive in the cryptocurrency industry who currently serves as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at the digital asset exchange OKX. He is known for leading major rebranding initiatives and forging high-profile sports and entertainment partnerships to increase mainstream adoption and improve the public perception of the crypto sector. ^{[1] [2]}

Education

Haider Rafique studied marketing at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and attended the Chief Marketing Officer Workshop at Columbia Business School. He also completed the Growth Series program at Reforge. Earlier in his academic career, he studied advertising at West Virginia University and sound engineering at the American University in Dubai. ^[8]

Career

Haider Rafique began his career in advertising, holding positions at agencies including BBDO Worldwide, Young & Rubicam, McCann Worldgroup, and J. Walter Thompson, before moving into technology marketing roles at Microsoft and CA Technologies. This background provided him with experience in both brand communications and technology strategy.

Rafique later transitioned into the digital asset sector, initially serving as Head of Growth at Blockchain.com. He then became Chief Marketing Officer at Okcoin, where he oversaw a rebrand in 2021 and contributed to significant user growth. In 2022, he joined OKX as a special advisor to the executive team, where he led the company’s rebrand from “OKEx” to “OKX” and helped establish a sponsorship with Manchester City F.C. He was formally appointed Global Chief Marketing Officer in December 2022 and, in 2025, also took on the role of Global Managing Partner for Government and Investor Relations. Alongside his corporate roles, Rafique has advised several Web3 startups on growth and branding strategies. ^{[1] [8]}

Strategic Partnerships

• Manchester City F.C.: As a special advisor and later as CMO, Rafique has been a key figure in establishing and developing the partnership with the Premier League football club. The collaboration has included campaigns such as "A New Alternative: Manchester City," aimed at engaging the club's global fanbase. ^[1]
• McLaren Formula 1 Team: OKX formed a major partnership with the McLaren F1 team, which has involved prominent branding on the team's cars and the development of special livery designs for key races. This partnership aligns the OKX brand with the high-tech, global appeal of Formula 1 racing.
• Tribeca Festival: Rafique also spearheaded a collaboration with the Tribeca Festival, positioning OKX within the world of film and creative arts. This partnership reflects a strategy of reaching new audiences beyond the traditional finance and tech sectors. ^[4]

Public Appearances

Rafique is a featured speaker at industry events, where he discusses marketing, brand strategy, and the future of Web3. He was listed as a speaker for the LEAP 2025 conference, a major technology event. He also engages with media to discuss his work and the broader crypto industry. In an interview with The Drum published on March 11, 2025, he elaborated on his strategy for challenging the negative stereotypes associated with cryptocurrency. ^{[3] [5]}