# Michael Zhao

> Michael Zhao is the founder and CEO of Klickl, an Abu Dhabi-headquartered open-finance business connecting traditional financial services with digital assets. His career includes UBS, China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange, China Merchants Bank and Intesa Sanpaolo. He also founded MyGolf Dubai and is a co-founder, vice chairman and director of C1 Fund Inc.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at Klickl
- **Organizations:** Klickl, MyGolf Dubai, C1 Fund Inc., VGPay, Crypto 1 Acquisition Corp. (former), UBS (former), State Administration of Foreign Exchange, China (former), China Merchants Bank (former), Intesa Sanpaolo (former)
- **Education:** Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering and Finance, University of Florida, Executive MBA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- **Known for:** Founded Klickl, formerly associated with the IDCM brand., Led Klickl through in-principle approval in 2022 and Financial Services Permission in April 2024., Klickl announced a $25 million Series A in December 2024 at a $125 million company valuation.

## Career timeline

- **2006–2009** — Worked at UBS in international financial trading.
- **2010–2011** — Worked at China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
- **2011–2014** — Worked at China Merchants Bank.
- **2014–2016** — Worked at Intesa Sanpaolo.
- **2017** — Began the IDCM/Klickl and VGPay chapter of his career.
- **2021–2022** — Founder, CEO and director of Nasdaq-listed Crypto 1 Acquisition Corp.
- **2022-08** — MyGolf Dubai held its grand opening at Dragon Mart 2.
- **2022-09** — Klickl received ADGM in-principle approval for virtual asset brokerage and custody.
- **2024-04** — Klickl International received Financial Services Permission dated 16 April 2024.
- **2024-12** — Klickl announced a $25 million Series A at a $125 million valuation.
- **2025-08** — Appeared on Bill It Up to discuss Klickl, C1 Fund and golf.
- **2026-04** — Discussed Klickl’s ADGM cooperation agreement during China-UAE business activities in Beijing.

## Achievements

- Founded Klickl, formerly associated with the IDCM brand.
- Led Klickl through in-principle approval in 2022 and Financial Services Permission in April 2024.
- Klickl announced a $25 million Series A in December 2024 at a $125 million company valuation.
- Founded MyGolf Dubai, whose Dragon Mart 2 venue held its grand opening in August 2022.
- Co-founded C1 Fund Inc., where he serves as vice chairman and director.
- Served as founder, CEO and director of Nasdaq-listed Crypto 1 Acquisition Corp. during 2021–2022.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Klickl announced a strategic cooperation agreement with ADGM at China-UAE business activities in Beijing; Zhao discussed cross-border payments, digital assets and compliance.
- **2025-12** — Spoke alongside Dermot Mayes at a Dubai forum about Klickl’s proposed Operating System for Future Money.
- **2025-08** — Featured in Bill It Up episode 28 on Klickl, C1 Fund, regulation and golf.

## Links

- Website: https://www.klickl.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-zhao-38b97b2/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-zhao
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-15