{"id":"igor-bershadsky","title":"Igor Bershadsky","content":"**Igor Bershadsky** is the Chief Growth Officer at [Hacken](https://iq.wiki/wiki/hacken), a prominent cybersecurity company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With over 15 years of experience across financial product sales, project management, and fintech, Igor has carved a niche for himself in the realms of [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) and cybersecurity, particularly focusing on [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) and AI infrastructure. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-Gv7D6PQ86qd99AXj) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-k6z5Ao2Bvy8Ar3nX) \n\n## Education\n\nIgor Bershadsky earned an Associate of Arts (AA) in Business Administration and Management, General from Santa Monica College. He also obtained an Associate of Science (AS) in Business Administration and Management, General from Los Angeles Valley College. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-Gv7D6PQ86qd99AXj)​\n\n## Career\n\n#### Early Career and Finance\n\nIgor Bershadsky began his career in the financial services industry. His early professional experience included positions related to financial services, client management, and business operations.\n\nFrom 2005 to 2010, he worked as a Financial Services Manager at Union Bank in Brentwood, California. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as Senior Team Lead at World Financial Group (WFG) in Los Angeles. He later worked as Premier Client Manager at Wells Fargo from 2012 to 2014.\n\nIn September 2014, Bershadsky founded EcoQuest.Repair, which he operated until September 2016. During 2016, he also worked as a Financial Services Professional at Merrill Lynch in Newport Beach, California.\n\n#### Cybersecurity Career\n\nIn 2017, Bershadsky began working in the cybersecurity sector. From September 2017 to October 2020, he served as Chief Operating Officer of the International Cyber Security Center (ICSC), an organization providing services such as security audits, penetration testing, IT security assessments, and data protection solutions.\n\nDuring the same period, he was CEO and Co-Founder of TowerFox, LLC, a company focused on personal security products and technologies. He held this position from September 2017 to June 2020.\n\nIn 2019, Bershadsky served as Head of Helasoft Cybersecurity Services on a freelance basis in the Greater Hamburg Area. From December 2020 to December 2021, he was Chief Operating Officer of AI-IPSUM LLC in Kyiv, Ukraine.\n\n#### Hacken\n\nBershadsky joined Hacken in February 2022 as Head of Business Development and Partnerships. In April 2023, he was appointed Director of Business Development and Partnerships.\n\nFrom June 2024 to June 2025, he served as Regional Advisor. In June 2025, he assumed the roles of Chief Growth Officer and General Partner.\n\nHis responsibilities at Hacken have included business development, partnerships, compliance-related activities, and work associated with cybersecurity within [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-based environments.\n\n#### Artificial Intelligence Activities\n\nFrom April 2024 to May 2025, Bershadsky served as Project Manager at PhronAI in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.\n\nHis professional activities have included projects and discussions related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) technologies.\n\n#### Public Speaking and Industry Participation\n\nBershadsky has participated in conferences, industry events, and discussions concerning [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) technology, cybersecurity, compliance, regulation, and [digital assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets).\n\nAmong these engagements was MENA Blockchain Week 2026, where he spoke on topics related to regulatory frameworks, security practices, compliance, and developments in the digital asset sector.\n\nHe has also published commentary and professional observations through industry platforms and public channels, addressing subjects including cybersecurity, blockchain technology, Web3, artificial intelligence, and digital asset ecosystems. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-k6z5Ao2Bvy8Ar3nX)  [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-Gv7D6PQ86qd99AXj) \n\n## Interviews\n\n#### Cybersecurity and Regulatory Topics in Web3 #01\n\nOn October 15, 2023, Igor Bershadsky, Director of Business Development and Partnerships at [Hacken](https://iq.wiki/wiki/hacken), participated in an episode of Web3 Talks, a program produced by Web3TV. The discussion focused on cybersecurity practices in the [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) sector and topics related to the broader [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) ecosystem.\n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=C6GkE2uLFCA)\n\nDuring the interview, Bershadsky described Hacken's activities in [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) security, including smart contract audits, penetration testing, security assessments, and the operation of a bug bounty platform. He explained that the platform enables independent security researchers, commonly referred to as white-hat hackers, to identify and report vulnerabilities in blockchain projects under predefined conditions.\n\nBershadsky stated that cybersecurity involves both technical measures and user practices. He referenced common security recommendations, including the use of strong passwords, password management tools, and the secure storage of seed phrases. The discussion also addressed cybersecurity awareness initiatives and educational efforts related to [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) security.\n\nThe interview included references to [Hacken's](https://iq.wiki/wiki/hacken) collaborations with [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-related organizations, including [Radix](https://iq.wiki/wiki/radix) and the DMCC Crypto Centre in Dubai. Bershadsky outlined Hacken's involvement in security services, educational activities, and support for projects operating within those ecosystems.\n\nRegulatory developments in the United Arab Emirates were also discussed. Bershadsky commented on the emergence of regulatory frameworks for [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) businesses in the region and noted their role in establishing operational requirements for companies active in the [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) sector.\n\nIn relation to industry trends, Bershadsky identified [real-world asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/real-world-assets-rwas) (RWA) [tokenization](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tokenization) as an area receiving attention within the [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) industry. He also referred to ongoing discussions concerning regulation and compliance in [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) markets.\n\nThe interview concluded with remarks regarding the collapse of [FTX](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ftx) and the legal proceedings involving Sam Bankman-Fried. Bershadsky indicated that he preferred to avoid definitive conclusions while legal processes were ongoing, but acknowledged the broader impact that the events had on the [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) industry and public perceptions of the sector. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-nOgpBZJBiKAxYKFn) \n\n#### Discussion of Self-Custody and Crypto Security #02\n\nIn an interview published on the Ryder YouTube channel on May 4, 2026, Igor Bershadsky, Chief Growth Officer at [Hacken](https://iq.wiki/wiki/hacken), discussed topics related to [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) security, self-custody, and cybersecurity practices within the [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) sector. During the interview, Bershadsky stated that social engineering represented a major source of cryptocurrency-related losses and referred to estimates indicating that approximately $4 billion was stolen from crypto users during 2025. He attributed a large portion of these losses to seed phrase compromises and user-related security incidents.\n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=qLaBfcCMHtw)\n\nBershadsky also outlined his professional background, including previous roles in the traditional financial sector at Merrill Lynch and MUFG, before moving into cybersecurity and joining [Hacken](https://iq.wiki/wiki/hacken). The interview covered Hacken’s activities in multiple jurisdictions, including its work with regulatory organizations and institutions. Bershadsky referenced the company's collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in areas related to regulatory compliance and [anti-money laundering](https://iq.wiki/wiki/anti-money-laundering-aml) procedures.\n\nThe discussion addressed risks associated with self-custody and [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) asset management. Bershadsky stated that user actions frequently contribute to security incidents and discussed the role of education and risk awareness in reducing exposure to common threats. He also referred to CER.live, a platform developed by [Hacken](https://iq.wiki/wiki/hacken) that provides security-related assessments and information on cryptocurrency exchanges, [wallets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency-wallet), and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) projects.\n\nThe interview included a demonstration of the Ryder One [hardware wallet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/hardware-wallet). During the demonstration, features such as Shamir’s Secret Sharing, social recovery mechanisms, seed backup options, and transaction-signing controls were presented. The device's recovery model was described as distributing backup data across multiple components, including recovery tags, mobile devices, and optional recovery contacts. The wallet's design and functionality, including support for [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) transactions and integration with third-party payment services, were also discussed.\n\nAdditional discussion focused on security practices associated with [hardware wallets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/hardware-wallet) and self-custody solutions. Particular attention was given to transaction verification processes and the absence of blind signing functionality within the device. The interview concluded with observations regarding the role of security infrastructure, user education, and custody solutions in the development of the [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) ecosystem. [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-gRkZwCkeL2begD5g) ","summary":"Igor Bershadsky is a Web3 entrepreneur with over 15 years in finance and FinTech, currently serving as Chief Growth Officer at Hacken. 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