ICTC 2025: Alex Kozenko Reveals How WhiteBIT is Forging the Next Era of Digital Competition

WhiteBIT just pulled off something pretty ambitious – Europe's first live-streamed crypto trading championship. Think esports, but for traders competing with real money. Named the International Crypto Trading Cup (ICTC 2025), the event featured trading competitions, strategy analysis, and prizes. ICTC 2025 took place from May 9 to 10, with Max Hamaha taking first place.

In a new interview, WhiteBIT CMO Alex Kozenko reflected on the tournament and shared insights into the next Crypto Trading Cup.

From Casual Idea to Major Tournament 

As Alex Kozenko explained, the idea for ICTC 2025 started in the summer of 2024 “for fun.” During a conversation with WhiteBIT Founder and President Volodymyr Nosov, after filming an episode of the YouTube show ByHi, Nosov suggested organizing a tournament where two traders would compete for the highest returns. This sparked internal discussions about the format and overall concept. The team decided to scale the idea, inviting top traders from different regions instead of just two – to create a real gladiator-style showdown.

WhiteBIT officially began preparations at the end of August 2024, breaking down the complex concept into components and visualizing the entire project. Speaking about the format, Kozenko noted its similarities to gaming and esports. This approach was chosen for its engaging nature, widespread appeal, and ability to offer a personalized viewing experience.

Esports has a unique advantage – it's fully digital. That opens the door for a highly personalized viewer experience, whether it's during the game stream or in the ads. That’s exactly why we brought in Maincast – one of the best esports broadcast teams – to help us create a top-tier television-style production,

Kozenko said.

On a personal note, the WhiteBIT CMO shared that he’s a huge esports fan himself. He specifically follows the Ukrainian team NAVI and keeps an eye on major tournaments.

Why Go Live? The Risk of Real-Time Trading 

Going live meant taking a big risk. When traders fumbled a position or servers glitched, millions of viewers watched it happen in real time. ‘There's nowhere to hide,' Kozenko admits. ‘No editing out the awkward moments or polishing up the losses.'

But that raw, unfiltered experience was exactly the point. The genuine reactions – the excitement of a winning trade, the frustration of a bad call – created something you can't fake in post-production. For WhiteBIT, this brutal honesty aligns perfectly with their core values.

The word “white” in WhiteBIT stands for transparency, honesty, and radical openness. The market today is flooded with self-proclaimed “gurus” selling fake courses and “signals” without any real expertise. We wanted to offer an alternative – a format where the audience sees everything as it is, no edits, no filters,

– the CMO believes.

The WhiteBIT CMO believes in fair trading competition and says the company’s investment has fully paid off. WhiteBIT’s main goal for the tournament was to set a new tone for the entire industry, and the results show this goal was achieved. According to Kozenko, one sign of success was the many messages from traders eager to participate. ICTC showcased trading as it truly is, from multiple perspectives.

Because trading isn’t just about good-looking charts – it’s serious work. It requires deep analysis, discipline, and emotional control. And we wanted to show that honestly, without sugar-coating,

he explained.

Will AI Take Over Trading Competitions? 

Kozenko didn’t rule out the possibility that AI trading bots could compete with human traders at the next ICTC tournament, saying that WhiteBIT is ready to provide the stage. He’s curious to see where this might lead – just like in chess, where computers eventually beat humans after years of struggle – but still believes that real human connection will always matter; after all, you can’t hug a bot or have a beer with it.

We’re not afraid of AI – on the contrary, we’re excited to explore how to integrate it in creative and meaningful ways,

Kozenko concluded.

So how does WhiteBIT actually pick who gets to compete? It's all about finding the right balance, and whether professional trading skills or personal brand matters more. Ideally, Kozenko says, it’s about balancing credibility with reach. The best-case scenario is finding participants who bring both: strong trading performance and a recognizable personal brand. Still, WhiteBIT is looking ahead and openly inviting professional traders to join the tournament, regardless of their online presence. As Kozenko puts it:

If you’re a high-volume trader moving billions, but no one knows your name, reach out to us. We’d love to see you in the next tournament.

Learning by Competing: The Value of Trading Next to Professionals 

One of ICTC’s most unique features is that it allows everyday traders to compete alongside top professionals, a rare opportunity in most industries. Kozenko highlighted how this changes everything: watching real traders perform live, under pressure, strips away the illusion that trading is effortless. Every click carries weight, and nothing is hidden. Viewers see every position, every move, making the experience fully transparent.

This level of openness creates a grounded sense of comparison, dismantling the myth that trading success is reserved for a chosen few. Instead, it shows that it’s about learning, discipline, and taking smart risks. The tournament gives traders a chance to measure themselves against the best – and, in doing so, discover who they are as traders. Kozenko thinks this transparency is crucial:

A lot of people walk away from crypto feeling like they’re not cut out for it. But often, it’s not about talent – it’s about learning, analyzing, and taking smart, calculated risks. ICTC gives you the chance to measure yourself against the best, from your own desk.

2026: Going Global with Regional Qualifiers

Pre-registration for ICTC 2026 is already open, Kozenko announced, adding that WhiteBIT plans to take things to the next level. One major addition will be regional qualifiers, modeled after the FIFA format. Two slots will be allocated to each of Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa, a way to bring even more global talent into the spotlight. He also mentioned that the hosts have already “confirmed” their spots for the next season and invited all journalists to join as well.

Kozenko encouraged everyone to follow WhiteBIT on social media for updates, saying the best is yet to come.