Proof of Talk is excited to welcome CertiK as Platinum Sponsors for Proof of Talk 2025, being held on June 10-11 at the iconic Louvre Palace in Paris.

The CertiK team will be at the event, where they will be co-hosting an exclusive VIP speakers dinner, sponsoring the Proof of Pitch startup competition, participating in insightful panel discussions, and leading a curated workshop with a live Q&A session for an engaging networking experience with leaders from CertiK.

We also sat down with Ronghui Gu, Co-Founder and CEO of CertiK, for a conversation on CertiK's participation in Proof of Talk 2025, his thoughts on blockchain adoption, the need for security, and a lot more.

Here's an excerpt of the conversation.

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1. As a Platinum Sponsor of Proof of Talk 2025, what motivated CertiK to support this event, and how does it align with the company's objectives in the Web3 ecosystem?

CertiK’s decision to become a Platinum Security Partner of Proof of Talk 2025 stems from our unwavering commitment to fostering a secure Web3 ecosystem. As the flagship summit for the Web3 and AI industries, Proof of Talk brings together global decision-makers, innovators, and investors to chart the course of the industry’s future. This is not just a global dialogue; it’s a vital platform for advancing the security, transparency, and sustainable growth of blockchain, fully aligned with CertiK’s mission to make the Web3 world safer and more trustworthy.

Since our founding in December 2017, CertiK has become the largest Web3 security service provider. We have continuously provided full lifecycle services for our clients, from incubation and early stages, to growth and maturity. Today, CertiK serves users across 150 countries and regions. Its client portfolio includes some of the most influential names, both within and beyond the sector, such as Binance, Ton, and large institutional clients including Ant Group and PCCW.

For CertiK, partnering with Proof of Talk 2025 is the ideal opportunity to integrate our deep security expertise with a leading global platform and collectively advance a healthier, more resilient Web3 ecosystem. We hope to collaborate with global innovators to find the optimal balance between Web3 innovation and security. This sponsorship is not merely a brand presence; it is our commitment to shape the future of the industry together.

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2. Given CertiK's involvement in auditing major blockchain networks and protocols, what trends do you foresee in the adoption of formal verification and AI-driven security in the next few years?

I expect formal verification to become an indispensable pillar for blockchain security in the coming years. While it has long been recognized as a mathematically rigorous method to ensure that software behaves as intended, its adoption will expand beyond smart contracts to include consensus protocols, cross-chain bridges, and zero-knowledge proofs. At CertiK, we leverage our self-developed and patented formal verification technology to deliver high-precision audits for top-tier projects such as zkWasm, TON master chain, and Ant Group’s HyperEnclave TEE. Despite its technical challenges, formal verification has an irreplaceable advantage in ensuring the security and controllability of blockchain systems. 

Following this, AI will continue reshaping the blockchain security landscape, particularly in smart contract auditing, on-chain threat detection, and real-time monitoring. AI enables deeper and faster analysis of smart contracts and blockchain data, helping identify vulnerabilities that traditional methods might miss. 

At CertiK, we have fully integrated AI into our vulnerability detection and audit processes, supporting comprehensive analyses and boosting the efficiency of our human auditors. However, as AI becomes more widespread, it will also be used by attackers to enhance their tactics, making advanced security solutions even more essential. 

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3. In light of recent high-profile security breaches in the crypto space, what measures should projects take proactively, and how does CertiK assist in building a more secure blockchain environment?

Prioritizing security from the outset is non-negotiable. Projects should integrate security into every phase of development—rather than treating it as an afterthought—to ensure early detection of vulnerabilities and avoid costly rework down the line. This proactive “security-first” approach is fundamental to building blockchain applications that are resilient and trustworthy. Beyond secure development practices, continuous monitoring, integrating threat intelligence, and conducting security awareness training for teams are key measures to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and reduce human error. Equally important is having a robust incident response framework to quickly identify, contain, and remediate security breaches.

CertiK provides security audits, security ratings, real-time threat monitoring, compliance consulting, and anti-money laundering (AML) services, which are designed to help Web3 projects strengthen their ability to defend against vulnerabilities and ensure they meet rigorous industry standards. For example, CertiK’s smart contract audits identify potential issues within project code, whereas the Skynet platform provides real-time on-chain monitoring to detect suspicious activities as they happen. 

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4. What emerging security challenges in Web3 has CertiK identified, and how is the company adapting its strategies to address these issues? 

The forms and complexities of security threats are constantly evolving. We have observed that attackers’ tactics now extend far beyond traditional smart contract vulnerabilities, encompassing increasingly sophisticated social engineering schemes and phishing attacks. Consequently, security service providers must demonstrate a higher level of adaptability and proactive thinking.

CertiK has been continuously strengthening its technical capabilities by integrating AI-driven tools, providing team verification services, and working closely with law enforcement agencies to prevent and respond to insider-related exploits. At the same time, we actively support our clients with incident analysis, real-time threat intelligence, and compliance research. We aim to ensure that our clients are fully prepared and protected before security incidents even occur, empowering them to operate with greater confidence in the rapidly evolving Web3 ecosystem.

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5. CertiK has engaged with regulatory bodies across various countries. How does the company balance the need for compliance with the ethos of decentralization inherent in blockchain technology?

Security and compliance are fundamental pillars for the development of Web3, while decentralization is its unique advantage and core ethos. At CertiK, we have adopted a “bridge” strategy to strike the right balance between compliance and decentralization. My team and I actively participate in global regulatory discussions and policymaking processes, offering expert compliance advice to governments to help them better understand the Web3 industry and transition regulatory mindsets from “restriction” to “guidance.” We also provide tailored compliance consulting to Web3 projects, helping them meet regulatory requirements without sacrificing the flexibility and innovation that decentralization enables. This dual approach ensures that while compliance and sustainability are strengthened, the core values of decentralization remain in Web3.

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6. CertiK's Skynet platform provides real-time monitoring and security insights. Can you elaborate on how Skynet enhances the security posture of blockchain projects and what differentiates it from other security solutions in the market?

Skynet enhances the security posture of Web3 projects by providing a clear, quantifiable measure of risk. It uses advanced security tools built by CertiK researchers, like Token Scan and advanced penetration testing, to proactively identify specific vulnerabilities in smart contracts and web infrastructure before they are exploited. This is complemented by real-time alerts for critical threats such as potential exploits and suspicious on-chain activity, enabling teams and users to respond rapidly. The platform distills these complex signals into a single 0-100 Skynet Security Score, which is designed to correlate with the likelihood of security incidents, making risk easy to track and compare.

What truly differentiates Skynet is the unmatched quality of the data that powers this score, combined with CertiK's deep security expertise. The platform is powered by the industry's largest proprietary dataset, including results from thousands of security audits and an extensive internal database of historical security incidents. This unique data is continuously analyzed by CertiK's world-class security experts, creating a powerful feedback loop. Our direct experience with real-world breaches allows us to constantly refine the Skynet Score's algorithm, ensuring its risk weightings are relevant and making it a truer, more accurate measure of a project's security resilience.

7. Looking ahead, what are CertiK's strategic priorities for the coming year, and how does the company plan to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of blockchain security?

Looking ahead, CertiK’s strategic priorities will focus on delivering comprehensive security solutions, deepening regulatory collaboration, driving continuous technological innovation, and investing in top talent to stay at the forefront of blockchain security.

CertiK offers a wide range of products and services that span the entire lifecycle of development—from incubation and early stages, to growth and maturity. Through offerings such as CertiK Security Audits and Security Ratings (Skynet), CertiK proactively adapts to evolving client needs, securing broadest ecosystem coverage.

We have also established collaborative relationships with regulatory bodies in six countries/regions, actively contributing to Web3 policy developments. Moving forward, we aim to further strengthen our role as a bridge between the Web3 ecosystem and regulatory frameworks.

Technological innovation remains our core driving force. We are committed to advancing security technologies in formal verification and AI-powered tools—ensuring the highest accuracy in security services while significantly improving efficiency and intelligence.

At the same time, CertiK will keep attracting top global talent and promote ongoing training, ensuring our highly skilled team can address the evolving challenges of blockchain security and drive future breakthroughs.

In the coming year, we’ll continue to advance research and development, expand our global reach, and work side by side with partners and the broader community to build a safer, more transparent, and more sustainable Web3 ecosystem.

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8. How important is education and dialogue—like what Proof of Talk facilitates—in shifting the security mindset from reactive to proactive?

I have always believed that education and dialogue are essential for shifting the security mindset in Web3 from reactive to proactive. 

At CertiK, we turn these principles into action by consistently providing the industry with valuable resources like incident analyses, safety guidelines, and security reports on a monthly and quarterly basis. CertiK also promotes a standard of "publishing full audit reports" and remains the only company sticking to it to this day. 

At the same time, CertiK actively participates in major industry conferences including Consensus and Token2049, using these platforms to consistently share our perspective on proactive defense in Web3. By combining in-depth industry insights with ongoing community engagement, we strive to raise security standards across the entire ecosystem.

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9. If you could deliver one security message on stage that every founder, investor, and policymaker took seriously, what would it be?

Security is a critical issue that's often overlooked despite its universal recognition. While everyone acknowledges its importance, practices like assuming one's code is flawless, bypassing third-party audits, skipping checks for minor updates, or gambling that vulnerabilities won't be exploited are far too common.

I urge all founders to prioritize security proactively, free of complacency. Investors and policymakers also play a vital role in reinforcing this through consistent reminders and incentivizing rigorous security measures. Together, we must foster a culture where security isn't an afterthought but an integral part of every decision.

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The CertiK team, along with 120+ leading voices in Web3, 100+ investors managing $50B+ in AUM, 150+ journalists, and 1000+ companies will be at Proof of Talk 2025, the #1 Networking Event In Web3.

For more information on agenda, tickets, and event details, visit www.proofoftalk.io

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