Opening Markets, Expanding Boundaries: Conversation with Denys Peleshok, Chief International Growth Officer at MD Finance

You don’t meet many people who have opened offices in five countries, scaled operations in markets they had never set foot in, and hired their first employees in hotel lobbies because there was no office yet. Denys has.

He built his career rapidly, progressing from a junior lawyer to a business development leader, moving from Kyiv to Shanghai and Tokyo and working with both a Swiss bank and EU/UK brokers in Asia. However, what stands out isn’t just the experience, but his ability to drop into unfamiliar terrain, read the room fast, and move toward his goals. For him, nothing is ever thoroughly planned, but everything happens on time.

We invite you to get to know Denys Peleshok, Chief International Growth Officer at MD Finance, better.

From Legal Intern to Young C-level Executive in Forex and Crypto Businesses

Denys, where did your career start?

– I started as a Junior International Lawyer at Dukascopy, a Swiss investment bank, in Kyiv. By education, I am a lawyer in international private law. But during the job interview, the founder noticed that I wasn’t just about the law, thanks to well-developed soft skills. He offered me a chance to work in sales as well. I agreed. And I stayed for 7 years, not in law, but in sales and business development.

So, the switch to business development was accidental or intentional?

– Call it both. I believe nothing’s really accidental. But yes, it started with a coincidence, and then became a direction that shaped my further career.

What was your education path?

– I earned my bachelor’s degree at Kyiv International University, then got my master’s in the same field at the Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University. I also studied English and Chinese. That second language later pulled me into Asia – at first for study, then for work.

You have been living in Asia for over a decade. When did you first come there?

– Back in university, I spent two semesters at Tianjin University, China. It was a deep dive into a completely different culture. That immersion helped to polish my Chinese speaking and gave me a feel for Asia. Later, when Dukascopy Bank needed to reboot the Hong Kong office, I got a promotion. We changed the team, the office, the systems – and it worked. That was my entry point to scaling business across Asia: China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, and then Japan.

You have opened many offices. How was it, and what did you learn?

– Every new country was a clean slate demanding a unique strategy to make a branch profitable. My first trip to Malaysia was without an office or teammates, with just one recommendation from my Chinese colleague. I conducted job interviews in the hotel lobby at first. Seven years at Dukascopy taught me to react fast, be consistent, and lead under pressure.

What about your family? Did they contribute to such a mindset?

– A lot. My dad’s a neonatologist – he resuscitates newborns. That means acting when you have zero room for error, and a patient can give you no answer or hint. He raised me in strictness. I was doing 150 pushups when other boys could do only 50, and was learning English instead of watching cartoons. I didn’t love it then, but I get it now. His school helped me to become persistent and achieve goals.

Denys Peleshok, Chief International Growth Officer at MD Finance

Building from Zero, Country by Country

What is your role at MD Finance?

– I lead global expansion. Everything from understanding the market to launching operations, including licensing, hiring, building the setup, and establishing local partnerships. Right now, we’re on the home stretch for Spain and ready to work on India. Previously this year, we launched a branch in Mexico. We also started exploring a new product for existing markets – it’s still in early stages.

What makes a launch successful in your eyes?

– When the company is live, compliant, and working. When there’s a team. That’s when I say: we did it. Generally, it takes 2-3 years to fully estimate the result.

How is your team structured?

– We are forming a small, but senior-level team for deep research and gathering market intel as well as for execution, including outreach to partners, legal, and contracts.

You work remotely. Does it affect your leadership?

– Not really. I’ve been in Asia for 11 years. Time zones don’t scare me. I just structure my day to give myself space in the morning, then have focused work, and in the second part – jump into calls. I’ve also learned to protect my energy, especially when 80% of your job is communicating.

About Routine, Energy, and Life Outside the To-Do List

Denys, what is your morning like?

– Very intentional. Breathwork, stretch, sometimes mantras, sometimes silence. It’s a set of practices I built for myself – a mix of yoga, gymnastics, and mental tuning. If I skip it, I feel off.

No cup of coffee?

– Not anymore. I drink mate – the Peruvian beverage. It gives you a steady rhythm without the spike-crash of coffee. I found a place with a perfect mate in Kuala Lumpur, where I'm living and have been hooked ever since. For me, it’s not just a drink. The gourd, the bombilla, is a whole ritual.

What about spirituality – is that a big part of your life?

– Definitely. I don’t label it – not a Buddhist or Christian way. I explore. I believe energy is more real than most material things. I guess the ego often gets in the way. For those interested, I highly recommend starting with “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle and the mantras of Deepak Chopra.

Where did this all start? Asia? Or earlier?

– Earlier, but Asia amplified it. Living here, you see how different people relate to life, time, and hierarchy. It pushed me to look inward more. And when you work with people constantly – you start noticing how some give you energy and others drain it. That’s not just a mood, it’s a system.

What’s your biggest passion outside of work?

– My daughter. She’s three and a half. We do a lot together – she’s the leader, I’m just running after her. She’s got a strong character and a crazy amount of energy. My favorite person to hang out with.

What made you stay in Malaysia? Any places you would recommend?

– At first, it was work. But then I realised – I like the tempo. It’s not as rigid as Tokyo, nor as chaotic as other big cities. It’s soft, mixed, and international. And the quality of life is great here. In Kuala Lumpur, it’s worth seeing the Petronas Towers, which still impress me. But honestly? My favorite bars are in Shanghai: Vue Bar at the Hyatt and Bar Rouge on the Bund. That’s where I’d go if I had a free weekend and a visa.

Takeaways

As our conversation with Denys Peleshok concludes, one message stands out clearly: global expansion isn’t just about market entry or regulatory navigation. It’s about mindset. His career, built across cultures and continents, reflects the importance of persistence, proactivity, and the ability to see the positive side of things.