During the International Crypto Trading Cup 2025 (ICTC), the first crypto trading competition, our staff spoke with the Whitebit CEO, Volodymyr Nosov, and their CMO, Maryna Kholod, to gain an event, origin, purpose, and the value it was trying to give to the Crypto community. This is what they told us.
Paradigm Shift: Crypto Trading as ultimate e-sport?
Interviewer: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. We are excited to hear more about Whitebit. To get started, can you tell us a little about the first days of the platform? How much has grown since then, and where do you see it going next year?
Volodymyr Nosov: Thanks first, it is important to note that Whitebit is just one of many products within the larger Whitebit group. Our team specializes in the development of the blockchain, and now, we manage more than 12 active projects. We have a team of over 1,300 people, including over 240 in-house developers.
All of our products are built throughout the house. Critical to us. Many players in this industry rely on the development of outsource or white-label solutions, which often leads to technical weaknesses. You continue to hear about hacks and data dripping – and often why. In contrast, in our seven -year operation, we did not have a single hack or data violation. That is something I truly boast about.
And it's not just about crypto. Yes, the crypto space has many exchanges and companies, but the fact is, about 98% of these are essentially only marketing shells-which often runs by a person with a front and no infrastructure. In Whitebit, our main focus is always in development. That's why we continue to grow years old.
In terms of exchange itself, just last year, Whitebit facilitated more than $ 2.7 billion in trading volume – without a technical issue. That tells you something about the stability of the platform.
Interviewer: Can you talk more about the broader approach of Whitebit and future vision?
Volodymyr Nosov: Our vision is to bridge traditional finances and crypto. We are developing features that mimic the functioning of classic financial systems but that are reimagined for blockchain. The idea is that you can do everything you need – from trading to your finances management – within an integrated application.
We also have a huge investment in infrastructure that supports institutional clients and professional entrepreneurs. Beyond the crypto, our team is building blockchain-based solutions for traditional industry-guarding, telecommunication, and even esports. These products live “under the hood” of web2 companies, giving them a seamless access to web3 operating.
Here's the fact: Large web2 companies will not be lost, but they lack the developers and experiences to integrate the blockchain properly. One day, they will know that they need crypto-native infrastructure. When that moment comes, we will be ready. We have spent the last four years of building systems that are easy to incorporate into their existing stacks.
Interviewer: Have you ever seen institutions that adopt these solutions?
Volodymyr Nosov: Yes, this happens – quietly but continuous. So far, hundreds of companies. In one year, it was thousands. In three years, it is millions. Here is the wave.
Interviewer: Let's talk about the event today. What is the Whitebit inspiration to host a trading competition?
Volodymyr Nosov: Good question. This is not our first event – we worked with football clubs, eSports organizations, and other industry leaders. But we noticed that nothing has been arranged for something that is truly meaningful just for crypto entrepreneurs.
Throughout the 14-15 crypto history, nothing has been done. So we decided to create something special for our community – something that celebrated entrepreneurs as professionals. This contest is our first main step, and we plan to put it down year after year. This is a study experience, and we collect the comment so that the next will be bigger and better.
Interviewer: I also noticed that there was a strong educational ingredient. Would you say that this event is dedicated to helping people become a better merchant?
Volodymyr Nosov: Completely. This reminds me of how eSports started. I remember 15 years ago, sitting on a computer lab with friends playing counter-strike. After that, our families told us this was a waste of time. Today, esports are a billion dollar industry.
We try to develop the same type of infrastructure for trading. Imagine that you were a 25 year old sitting on your computer all day studying charts, and your parents would not understand what you were doing. Now, suddenly, you are competing in a international phase. That changes the narrative. This event proves trading as a serious discipline, not just a hobby.
Interviewer: So it's not just about trading – it's about lifting the whole culture around it.
Volodymyr Nosov: Exactly. It's about more in the markets. It is about friendship, community, and access. Entrepreneurs can meet each other, exchange ideas, and inspire others at the top of their game. We are building an ecosystem that is far from the numbers on a screen.
Bitcoin price trends to the upside on the daily chart. Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview
A chat with Whitebit's CMO, the origin of ICTC 2025, and a look at its future
In other talks with many crypto news outlets, including Cripto Noticias, Crypto Insider, and Bitcoinist, Whitebit's CMO, Maryna Kholod, Talking about the idea that gave form to ICTC 2025, and how the team behind the event was able to pull it out, classifying many challenges.
Maryna Kholod: (…) This is a highly complex project. We tried to combine everything we learned as a team and did something that had never been done before: the first in the world Offline crypto trading tournament. I told my team, if we do something, it has to be Exceptional– a real “first” moment.
Interviewer: So, anyone, even a starter or a fan, can compete against leading traders?
Maryna Kholod: Exactly. That's magic. This is the first event where anyone can test their real-time skills, against seasoned professionals. With traditional esports, you can't just show up and play with the advantages. But in our contest, it all starts at the same time, with the same data feed – it's a field playing.
Interviewer: It makes it more interactive and engaging than just watching a game.
Maryna Kholod: Yes! Imagine if you were a fan of FC Barcelona, and instead of watching El Clásico, you could Play In it. That's the emotional hook. Here, trading fans are not just watching – they are participating. They try themselves against the best.
Interviewer: And how is the response from the community and influencers?
Maryna Kholod: It was mixed at first. When we reached, maybe 80-85% did not respond. Some do not understand the concept. Others are skeptical. But those are made Engter told us, “This is the dream. This is what we are waiting for.”
We are completely transparent – no hidden tricks, no fake numbers. Some participants told us, “If I didn't win this thing, my followers wouldn't buy my course!” It added pressure, but it made it more true. Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, approach, and style live on stage. This is a dream scenario for them.
Interviewer: That is an upstairs way to be trading with a sporting viewer.
Maryna Kholod: It is. We designed it as a professional showcase-a place where entrepreneurs could demonstrate their ideas, their decisions, their aggression, their experience. It's about showing the world that trading is more than just numbers – it's a craft.
Interviewer: Is this a difficult project to perform?
Maryna Kholod: Excessively. Each week, we have meetings at 40-50 team members. Everything – from collaboration to stage design – is carefully planned. A funny example: We need to coordinate LED approves with La Liga for the broadcast section. Which usually takes two weeks; We have 12 days.
Our original place is not enough electricity to empower all equipment. We need to move the entire event to a new location and fully restore everything. But it's worth it. I told my team, “We're launching a rocket here.” And somehow, we did.
Interviewer: What is the most challenging part for you in person?
Maryna Kholod: The people. Managing the energy and motivation of the team is more difficult than anything else. We had to push the event from February to May, and the delay was tough. But now, seeing 99% of the idea that has been done exactly how I thought of it – that was the most refward feeling. Even in some places, it exceeds my expectations.
I am proud of what we have achieved. This event is more than just marketing – it's a movement. And if this is the only beginning, I can't wait to show you what we do next.
Chart from tradingview
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