In the rapidly evolving digital age, the importance of security can't be overstated, especially within the Web3 and cryptocurrency spaces. Hacken, a trailblazer in the cybersecurity industry, is dedicated to creating a secure digital environment for users and developers alike.
That’s why I was excited to chat with its Co-Founder and CEO, Dyma Budorin, for my recent podcast episode of Web3 Marketing Talks with Vera Voron. Keep reading, as we dive deep into their success, strategies, services, and the importance of cybersecurity in the Web3 space.
Hacken's objective is clear: to safeguard the digital frontier. To achieve its mission, Hacken offers a wide array of services and products, including rigorous testing of smart contracts, exchanges, decentralized applications (dApps), blockchains, and protocols to identify and rectify vulnerabilities.
The company’s commitment to enhancing security in the crypto community extends beyond technical solutions. They invest heavily in meticulously designed educational initiatives like Trust Army and Do Your Own Research (DYOR) courses that guide participants through the process of evaluating various projects, identifying potential red flags, and avoiding high-risk ventures prone to rug pulls.
Through these educational efforts, Hacken empowers users with the knowledge to recognize and avoid scams and fraudulent schemes.
Hacken initially made waves through its bug bounty program, offering a platform where white hat hackers could identify vulnerabilities in exchange for rewards. This approach helped secure projects from potential threats and highlighted the need for proactive security measures in the crypto space.
Leveraging on this, Hacken pivoted to offering more structured cybersecurity services in 2018/19. This strategic shift was aimed at generating revenue and establishing a more stable footing in the market. It also positioned Hacken as the crypto equivalent of a cybersecurity giant, drawing parallels with renowned firms like Deloitte in the traditional finance sector.
Now, with over 6 years in the industry, Hacken has provided audits for 1,000+ clients including top names like Binance, KuCoin, and Near Protocol.
By working with the top 35 out of the 50 leading exchanges worldwide, Hacken has positioned itself at the forefront of the cryptocurrency exchange security market specifically. This deliberate focus enabled the company to secure partnerships with some of the biggest names in the industry and cement its reputation as a trusted security partner.
Beyond exchanges, Hacken's expertise extends to collaborating with top-tier blockchain layer one protocols. The company's work with renowned protocols like Polygon, Solana, Radix*,* and Avalanche highlights its versatility and deep understanding of the unique security challenges faced by different blockchain architectures.
Hacken's influence is also evident in its extensive work with dApps and applications, having collaborated with over 1,000 projects in this domain. This experience showcases Hacken's ability to adapt its security solutions to a wide range of applications, from finance to gaming and beyond.
At the heart of Hacken's operations is a team of 120 professionals with around 60% being engineers and security auditors. The remaining 40% comprises sales, marketing, and client relationship managers. This structured approach allows Hacken to scale its operations and maintain its high level of service quality.
Hacken's approach to growth and marketing is multifaceted, leveraging a combination of strategies.
The company's use of proactive outbound proposals is particularly noteworthy. By identifying potential vulnerabilities in target accounts and offering solutions before a formal business relationship is established, Hacken demonstrates its expertise and value upfront. This approach was exemplified in their interaction with Binance. They identified a critical mistake in a newly released feature and promptly informed the company. This led to a swift resolution of the issue and cemented a client relationship with one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world.
Hacken's SEO strategy is both sophisticated and effective. By continuously monitoring and targeting specific keywords related to their domain, Hacken ensures their content ranks highly in search engine results. This strategy is less about heavily paid search, and more about investing in high-quality, relevant content that meets the searcher's intent.
Public relations also plays a pivotal role in Hacken's marketing strategy. By engaging in technical PR, publishing industry reports, and being readily available for comments and interviews, Hacken maintains a high profile in the cybersecurity and crypto communities. These activities establish Hacken as a thought leader in the space.
By nurturing a partnership network, Hacken has created a referral system that brings in new clients effortlessly. The role of business development managers in this process is critical. These managers, often with international experience, enable the company to expand its influence across the globe.
Lastly, another critical part of Hacken’s marketing strategy is active participation in significant events and conferences like Tokyo 2049 and Dubai. Whether it's through participating in panel discussions, showcasing new technologies, or hosting unique side events, these events offer networking and showcasing opportunities at the same time.
Hacken also takes a unique approach to community engagement by hosting special events. For instance, organizing a football match, surfing challenge, snowboarding meetup, and even a golf event in Dubai. By creating these memorable experiences, Hacken fosters a sense of community camaraderie and teamwork.
As we draw this discussion to a close, it's clear that Hacken has carved out a significant niche for itself in the Web3 cybersecurity space. This company's multifaceted approach to security, education, marketing, and community engagement sets it apart as a leader in protecting the rapidly evolving digital frontier.
At Creators Agency, we help innovative Web3 projects build their communities and brands to become leading reputable names in the industry. We are a full-scale marketing & PR agency for tech, Web3, and AI products. Let’s make yours the next Hacken or Binance — explore our case studies. Watch my full interview with Dyma, and subscribe to my podcast to learn about the business side of Web3 from industry experts.