CertiK debuts invite-only bug bounty platform for web3 researchers

Blockchain security provider CertiK has launched CertiK Hunt, an invitation-only platform that gives web3 projects access to vetted security researchers for ongoing vulnerability testing, according to a Wednesday announcement.

The platform supports bug bounty programs, audit competitions, and AI-powered security challenges, with researchers selected based on experience, technical ability, and previous findings. CertiK said the invitation-only model would improve submission quality while minimizing spam and ensuring fair treatment for both researchers and those participating in projects.

“We’ve seen too many cases across the industry where security researchers submit valid vulnerabilities only to face disputes or delayed payouts,” Margarita Kadochnikova, Head of Communications at CertiK, stated. “CertiK Hunt is built to create a trusted environment where high-quality researchers can focus on finding impactful vulnerabilities, projects receive meaningful security insights, and both sides know the rules will be applied fairly.”

The company, which has supported more than 5,000 organizations, including Binance, Ethereum Foundation, and Ripple, believes the platform arrives at a critical time as billions of dollars continue to be lost to crypto exploits and the industry increasingly embraces continuous security models.

By complementing formal audits with ongoing testing throughout an application’s lifecycle, CertiK Hunt aims to strengthen protocol security well beyond deployment.

“CertiK Hunt is the next step in our mission to secure the web3 ecosystem,” Hudson Jameson, Head of Ecosystem at CertiK, stated. “By building a network defined by signal and quality rather than volume, we are creating a platform where the best researchers can do their most impactful work, while giving projects greater confidence in the security of their code.”