CertiK targets IPO after Binance investment, aims to lead Web3 security stocks
CertiK, a New York–based Web3 security firm, is preparing a roadmap toward a public listing after receiving a strategic investment from Binance, now its largest investor. Founder Gu Ronghui told CBS the company aims to become the leading Web3 infrastructure stock. CertiK is accelerating development of Skynet Enterprise, an institutional-grade security and risk-monitoring platform built to meet regulator and large-institution transparency requirements. The firm is also expanding its core auditing services using formal verification powered by its proprietary Spoq engine, which integrates artificial intelligence to improve verification efficiency and scalability. Recent private rounds value CertiK at over $2 billion. The push to go public follows rising institutional interest in crypto infrastructure and a wave of recent and planned crypto industry listings — including Circle, BitGo, Bullish, Gemini, Galaxy Digital, Figure, Exodus, Kraken, Ledger, Consensys, and Animoca Brands — which has increased investor appetite for regulated, institutional-grade crypto services.
Bullish
CertiK’s IPO push, backed by a major strategic investment from Binance and a >$2 billion private valuation, is likely bullish for crypto infrastructure sentiment. Public-market moves from trusted security providers reduce perceived systemic risk in DeFi and NFT ecosystems by increasing transparency and compliance. Skynet Enterprise targets institutional requirements (transparency, risk monitoring), which can attract capital from conservative allocators and boost demand for associated services and tokens tied to audited projects. Historical parallels: Circle’s IPO and BitGo’s NYSE debut improved institutional confidence in stablecoins and custody services and correlated with increased institutional flows into the sector. Short-term effects: positive sentiment for security and infrastructure equities and potential spillover to on-chain projects that use CertiK services; modest rallies in related market segments as traders anticipate more institutional capital. Long-term effects: stronger market stability if CertiK’s public listing raises standards for audits and reporting; increased institutional adoption could lift valuations for infrastructure-focused companies and improve risk pricing. Risks: IPO execution risk, regulatory scrutiny, or any high-profile audit failure could reverse gains. Overall, the news lowers infrastructure risk premium and is net positive for institutional adoption of crypto.