CertiK joins Hub71 as official vendor to strengthen Web3 security and compliance for startups

Building a Web3 startup has become about far more than writing code. Founders now face growing pressure to secure smart contracts, satisfy regulators, and prepare for licensing long before launching products. CertiK is betting that those demands will only grow after becoming an official vendor for Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem.

The partnership gives Hub71 portfolio companies preferred access to CertiK’s security and compliance services, along with a 20% discount across the company’s offerings. Eligible startups can tap into a shared subsidy pool of up to $200,000, lowering the cost of security audits and regulatory support at a time when compliance has become a core part of building digital asset businesses.

The announcement comes as governments continue tightening oversight of the digital asset industry. Rules that once varied widely across jurisdictions are giving way to more structured licensing and enforcement, pushing startups to consider anti-money laundering requirements, governance, and smart contract security much earlier in their growth.

Under the agreement, Hub71 companies will gain access to CertiK’s full suite of security services, including smart contract audits, penetration testing, and continuous security monitoring. Founders will receive compliance support for licensing pathways within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), including the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and the UAE Central Bank.

Hub71 startups will receive complimentary access to the CertiK Compliance Tool, a platform built to simplify licensing applications and ongoing regulatory obligations across multiple jurisdictions. The platform aims to reduce the time and expense involved in securing approvals as startups expand into new markets.

The partnership strengthens Hub71’s support network for founders building in sectors such as Web3, fintech, and AI. The Abu Dhabi-based ecosystem, backed by Mubadala, ADQ, and ADGM, has invested heavily in attracting technology companies by pairing access to capital with government and corporate partnerships that help startups establish operations in the UAE.

For CertiK, the agreement adds another milestone to its push into global digital asset ecosystems. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York, the company was established by professors from Yale University and Columbia University following research in formal verification technology. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest providers of Web3 security services, working with startups, enterprises, financial institutions, and regulators.

CertiK says its AI-powered risk management platform supports organizations throughout the software development lifecycle by combining code auditing, formal verification, real-time blockchain monitoring, and continuous risk assessment. The company says its systems draw from what it describes as the industry’s largest Web3 security database.

According to CertiK, its technology has identified more than 117,000 vulnerabilities and helped protect over $600 billion in digital assets across more than 150 countries and regions. The company operates under SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 standards and has participated in digital asset policy discussions with regulators in multiple jurisdictions.

The Hub71 partnership reflects a broader shift across the digital asset industry. Security audits, compliance planning, and licensing preparation are no longer tasks reserved for later funding rounds. For startups entering regulated markets, they are increasingly becoming foundational requirements from day one.