Igor Bershadsky is the Chief Growth Officer at 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 and cybersecurity, particularly focusing on Web3 and AI infrastructure. ^{[1] [2]}

Education

Igor 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]​

Career

Early Career and Finance

Igor Bershadsky began his career in the financial services industry. His early professional experience included positions related to financial services, client management, and business operations.

From 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.

In 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.

Cybersecurity Career

In 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.

During 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.

In 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.

Hacken

Bershadsky joined Hacken in February 2022 as Head of Business Development and Partnerships. In April 2023, he was appointed Director of Business Development and Partnerships.

From June 2024 to June 2025, he served as Regional Advisor. In June 2025, he assumed the roles of Chief Growth Officer and General Partner.

His responsibilities at Hacken have included business development, partnerships, compliance-related activities, and work associated with cybersecurity within blockchain-based environments.

Artificial Intelligence Activities

From April 2024 to May 2025, Bershadsky served as Project Manager at PhronAI in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

His professional activities have included projects and discussions related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and blockchain technologies.

Public Speaking and Industry Participation

Bershadsky has participated in conferences, industry events, and discussions concerning blockchain technology, cybersecurity, compliance, regulation, and digital assets.

Among 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.

He 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] [1]}

Interviews

Cybersecurity and Regulatory Topics in Web3 #01

On October 15, 2023, Igor Bershadsky, Director of Business Development and Partnerships at Hacken, participated in an episode of Web3 Talks, a program produced by Web3TV. The discussion focused on cybersecurity practices in the cryptocurrency sector and topics related to the broader Web3 ecosystem.

During the interview, Bershadsky described Hacken's activities in 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.

Bershadsky 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 security.

The interview included references to Hacken's collaborations with blockchain-related organizations, including 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.

Regulatory developments in the United Arab Emirates were also discussed. Bershadsky commented on the emergence of regulatory frameworks for digital asset businesses in the region and noted their role in establishing operational requirements for companies active in the cryptocurrency sector.

In relation to industry trends, Bershadsky identified real-world asset (RWA) tokenization as an area receiving attention within the blockchain industry. He also referred to ongoing discussions concerning regulation and compliance in digital asset markets.

The interview concluded with remarks regarding the collapse of 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 industry and public perceptions of the sector. ^[3]

Discussion of Self-Custody and Crypto Security #02

In an interview published on the Ryder YouTube channel on May 4, 2026, Igor Bershadsky, Chief Growth Officer at Hacken, discussed topics related to cryptocurrency security, self-custody, and cybersecurity practices within the digital asset 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.

Bershadsky 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. 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 procedures.

The discussion addressed risks associated with self-custody and 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 that provides security-related assessments and information on cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets, and blockchain projects.

The interview included a demonstration of the Ryder One 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 transactions and integration with third-party payment services, were also discussed.

Additional discussion focused on security practices associated with hardware wallets 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 ecosystem. ^[4]