At the inaugural International Crypto Trading Cup 2025 (ICTC), the first livestreamed trading competition in the crypto world, our team had the opportunity to chat with Volodymyr Nosov, the CEO of WhiteBIT, and CMO Alex Kozenko. They provided valuable insights into the event, its origins, and its significance for the crypto community. Here’s what we learned.

Transforming Perspectives: Crypto Trading as the Premier E-Sport?

Interviewer: We appreciate you both for joining us. We’re eager to learn more about WhiteBIT. Can you share the platform’s beginnings? How much has it developed since then, and what are your aspirations for the upcoming year?

Volodymyr Nosov: Thank you. It’s essential to understand that WhiteBIT is just a segment of the larger WhiteBIT Group. We focus on blockchain technology and currently manage over 12 active projects with a workforce exceeding 1,300, including 240 developers in-house.

Every product we offer is created entirely by our internal team. This is pivotal for us. While many in our industry depend on third-party development or use white-label options, leading to potential security issues, we’ve maintained a different approach. Over the past seven years, we have not experienced any hacks or data breaches, which is something I take great pride in.

Moreover, it’s not solely about cryptocurrency. While the crypto landscape is filled with exchanges and companies, many operate merely as marketing fronts, often helmed by a single individual without substantial infrastructure. At WhiteBIT, we prioritize development, which is why our growth continues year after year.

Regarding our exchange, just last year, WhiteBIT processed over $2.7 billion in trading volume in 2024, all without technical setbacks. This resilience speaks volumes about our platform’s reliability.

Interviewer: Can you elaborate on WhiteBIT’s long-term strategy and vision for the future?

Volodymyr Nosov: Our goal is to create a bridge between traditional finance and cryptocurrency. We’re developing functionalities reminiscent of conventional financial systems, tailored for blockchain. The vision is to allow users to perform all necessary tasks—trading and managing finances—through one cohesive application.

We’re heavily investing in infrastructure tailored for institutional clients and expert traders. Additionally, our team is crafting blockchain solutions for various traditional sectors, such as banking, telecommunications, and esports, facilitating smooth integration into existing Web2 frameworks.

The reality is that large Web2 companies are not going anywhere; however, they often lack the specialized developers to effectively merge blockchain technology. Eventually, they will come to understand the need for crypto-centered infrastructure. When that happens, we will be ready with the systems we’ve meticulously built over the last four years, designed for easy integration into their frameworks.

Interviewer: Are you witnessing any early adoption of these solutions by institutions?

Volodymyr Nosov: Yes, it’s happening—albeit gradually. Currently, it’s hundreds of companies involved. Within a year, it will expand to thousands, and within three years, potentially millions. The momentum is building.

Interviewer: Let’s discuss today’s event. What motivated WhiteBIT to organize a trading contest?

Volodymyr Nosov: That’s a great question. This isn’t our first venture—we’ve partnered with football teams, esports groups, and prominent industry figures. However, we recognized the absence of an event specifically for cryptocurrency traders with a genuine sense of community.

In the entire 14-15 years of crypto history, nothing like this had been organized. So, we set out to create a special initiative for our community that acknowledges traders as professionals. This tournament marks our first significant step, and we aim to make it an annual occurrence. It serves as a learning platform, and we welcome feedback to enhance future events.

Interviewer: I noticed a strong focus on education as well. Would you say this event aims to improve traders’ skills?

Volodymyr Nosov: Absolutely. It reminds me of the early days of esports. I recall playing Counter-Strike with friends in a computer lab 15 years ago, while our families viewed it as a trivial pursuit. Now, esports is a billion-dollar sector.

We are striving to create a similar ecosystem for trading. Picture a 25-year-old analyzing charts from home while their family doesn’t grasp the significance. Competing on a global stage changes that narrative. This event validates trading as a legitimate discipline, not just a pastime.

Interviewer: So, it transcends mere trading—it’s about enhancing the entire culture surrounding it.

Volodymyr Nosov: Exactly. It extends beyond market transactions. It fosters friendships, community, and accessibility. Traders can connect, share ideas, and draw inspiration from others excelling in the field. We’re constructing an ecosystem that transcends digits on a screen.

Insights from WhiteBIT’s CMO on the Birth of ICTC 2025 and Its Future Prospects

In a separate discussion with several crypto news platforms, including Cripto Noticias, Crypto Insiders, and Bitrabo, WhiteBIT’s CMO, Alex Kozenko, shared the inspiration behind ICTC 2025 and the team’s efforts in overcoming various challenges to bring this vision to life.

Alex Kozenko: (…) It was a complex endeavor. We sought to amalgamate all that we’ve learned to create something impactful.

As a team, we aimed to create something unprecedented: the world’s first offline cryptocurrency trading tournament. I emphasized to my colleagues that our endeavor needed to be remarkable—a genuine “first of its kind” experience.

Interviewer: Anyone, regardless of their background, could face off against professional traders?

Alex Kozenko: Absolutely. That’s what made it special. This was the inaugural event allowing anyone to challenge their expertise in real-time against experienced traders. Unlike typical esports, where casual players can’t compete directly with pros, our tournament ensured that everyone began simultaneously, utilizing the same data feed—a fair competition.

Interviewer: This approach certainly makes it more engaging than merely observing a game.

Alex Kozenko: Exactly! Picture being a fan of FC Barcelona—rather than just watching El Clásico, you could actually participate. That emotional connection is powerful. Trading enthusiasts aren’t just spectators; they engage and put themselves to the test against top competitors.

Interviewer: How did the community and influencers react?

Alex Kozenko: Initial responses were varied. When we reached out, around 80–85% of people didn’t engage. Some found the concept confusing, while others were doubtful. However, those who did get involved expressed excitement, saying, “This is a dream come true. We’ve been anticipating something like this.”

We maintained full transparency—no hidden agendas, no fabricated statistics. Some traders even admitted, “If I don’t win, my followers won’t purchase my course!” It added some pressure, yet it also made everything feel more authentic. Participants had the opportunity to display their skills, strategies, and unique styles live—a perfect environment for them.

Interviewer: What a daring method to turn trading into an entertaining spectacle.

Alex Kozenko: Indeed. We envisioned this as a professional platform—a space for traders to present their concepts, make decisions, show determination, and share their expertise. It’s about illustrating that trading transcends mere numbers; it’s an art form.

Interviewer: Was this project difficult to bring to fruition?

Alex Kozenko: Very much so. We held weekly meetings with about 40–50 team members. Every aspect—from partnerships to stage configurations—was meticulously organized. A notable instance was coordinating LED approval with La Liga for part of the broadcast, which typically takes two weeks; we managed it in just 12 days.

Additionally, our initial venue lacked sufficient electrical capacity for all equipment, so we had to relocate the entire event and recalibrate everything. However, the effort paid off. I told my team, “We’re launching a rocket here.” And we somehow managed to do it.

Interviewer: What was your personal biggest challenge?

Alex Kozenko: It was the people. Keeping the team’s energy and motivation was more challenging than any other aspect. We had to push the event from February to May, which was tough. But now, witnessing that 99% of the vision came to life exactly as I imagined is incredibly fulfilling. In fact, some parts have even surpassed my expectations.

I take great pride in our accomplishments. This event signifies more than just marketing; it’s a movement. If this is merely the beginning, I am eagerly looking forward to revealing what’s next.

Cover image provided by WhiteBIT, chart sourced from Tradingview