<p>BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes has responded to criticisms of its secretive trading desk in an interview with Yahoo Finance's Oscar Williams-Grut. The world's biggest crypto exchange "doesn’t offer 'special access to anyone,' doesn’t trade against its customers, and doesn’t make money when customer trades are liquidated," Hayes told <em>Yahoo Finance.</em></p> <p>"They are a customer too," Hayes said, referring to the firm's market-making desk. "It is treated like any other account."</p> <p>Hayes responded to criticisms from anonymous researcher Hasu. In a <em>Medium</em> post, Hasu claimed the exchange trades against its clients and makes money when it liquidates client positions. Hayes denied Hasu's allegation, stating that the market-making desk is "completely secluded from the rest of the employees."</p> <p>Founded in 2014, BitMEX is known for its futures contracts and high trading volumes. On its best day in 2018, it saw daily volumes hit $8 billion. (Source: <a href="https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/bitmex-ceo-defends-billion-dollar-crypto-exchange-dont-trade-customers-080003585.html?guccounter=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo Finance</a>)</p> <p><em>With contributions from Frank Chaparro.</em></p>