Bitunix is a global crypto derivatives exchange serving over 5 million users across 150 countries. To meet the security expectations of institutional partners, regulators, and users at scale, Bitunix engaged Hacken to achieve ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification.
This case study covers how Hacken conducted the ISO 27001 readiness assessment, scoped the information security management system (ISMS) for a crypto-native exchange environment, and supported its legal entity through external certification audit.
The Q1 2026 threat landscape makes this certification increasingly significant. Hacken's own research found that 63.4% of Q1 losses came from phishing and social engineering — attacks that bypass technical controls entirely and target the operational and human layer. ISO 27001 is one of the few frameworks that formally addresses this attack surface.
What Is Bitunix?
Bitunix is a derivatives-first exchange built for traders who expect more. Since 2021, it has grown into a global spot and derivatives platform offering perpetuals, chart trading, fixed risk, and loss-based positioning — the last two being industry firsts.
With over 1,100 trading pairs, up to 200x leverage, and TradingView integration, Bitunix serves professional and retail traders across 150 countries. The platform runs an on-chain Proof of Reserves audit feature and operates under three core commitments: Ultra Trust, Ultra Product, and Ultra Experience.
The Challenge
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 was built for traditional enterprise environments. It does not natively address private key infrastructure, custodial wallet systems, on-chain service dependencies, or the risk profile of a high-volume derivatives exchange.
Bitunix needed certification beyond paper compliance. The goal was a certified ISMS that improved real security posture and held up under external audit scrutiny.
How Hacken Delivered
1. Bridging ISO Standards and Crypto Exchange Reality
The challenge: Aligning the structured ISO/IEC 27001:2022 framework with a fast-moving crypto exchange environment across multiple jurisdictions and entity structures.
What Hacken did: Conducted a Readiness Assessment tailored to Bitunix's Web3 operations — mapping ISO management controls to crypto-specific workflows. Beyond standard ICT controls, the assessment covered private key security, exchange integrity, and custody-related threat scenarios. The output was a remediation roadmap built for a crypto-native platform, not a retrofitted enterprise template.
2. Risk Management Scoped for Digital Assets
The challenge: Conventional risk frameworks overlook the nuances of digital asset custody, wallet infrastructure, and exchange-specific attack surfaces.
What Hacken did: Extended the risk management scope to cover wallet infrastructure, custody mechanisms, and crypto service architecture. Risk scenarios specific to Bitunix's operations were identified and embedded into a structured Risk Treatment Plan — formal enough to satisfy ISO/IEC 27001:2022 requirements, practical enough to drive real operational decisions.
3. Documentation That Reflects Actual Operations
The challenge: Paper compliance — policies documented but not implemented — is the default failure mode for ISO 27001 engagements at fast-moving companies.
What Hacken did: Worked directly with Bitunix teams to align security documentation with real workflows. Policies were written to reflect how the exchange actually operates, ensuring the ISMS supported engineering and trading operations rather than creating friction.
4. Audit Advocacy
The challenge: Translating blockchain-based evidence into formats recognized by an external ISO 27001 certification body.
What Hacken did: Acted as liaison between each Bitunix entity and the certification body. Advised on which records to present, how on-chain evidence satisfies ISO audit requirements, and responded directly to auditor inquiries. This reduced certification friction caused by auditor unfamiliarity with crypto-native systems.
The Result: ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification
Bitunix successfully established and implemented an Information Security Management System in accordance with ISO/IEC 27001:2022, certified by Swiss Approval North America.
Certification details:
• Standard: ISO/IEC 27001:2022
• Scope: Cryptocurrency exchange services, derivatives trading, asset storage and management, underlying technology R&D, infrastructure operations, compliance, and risk control
• Certification body: Swiss Approval North America
• Validity: Annual surveillance audits
This certification confirms that Bitunix operates a structured, auditable, and internationally recognized information security management system across its core products and infrastructure — verified by an independent certification body.
What This Means for Bitunix Users and Partners
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification is independent evidence that Bitunix manages information security risks in a disciplined, repeatable way. For institutional partners and regulators, it replaces custom security questionnaires with a verified baseline. For users, it confirms the platform's security posture has been externally assessed against an international standard.
About Hacken's ISO 27001 Compliance Service
Hacken has guided exchanges, wallet providers, DAOs, and Layer 1 protocols through ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification. Every engagement combines certified ISO Lead Auditors with deep Web3 expertise — penetration testing, cloud security review, and risk assessment delivered in-house, with no extra vendors.
The same approach has been applied with Toobit (ISO/IEC 27001:2022), Bitso (CCSS Level 2), WhiteBIT (CCSS Level 3), and Bybit (MiCA-aligned penetration testing).
If your exchange or digital asset platform needs ISO 27001 certification: hacken.io/services/iso-27001/
FAQ
What is ISO/IEC 27001 certification for a crypto exchange?
ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard for information security management. For a crypto exchange, it means establishing a documented, audited, and certified framework for managing security risks across the full operation — including custody systems, key management, infrastructure, and personnel controls. Certification is issued by an accredited external body after a formal audit.
Does ISO 27001 certification help with MiCA, DORA, or VARA compliance?
Yes. ISO/IEC 27001:2022 addresses 70–80% of the cybersecurity requirements across MiCA, DORA, VARA, BMA, and other CASP/VASP frameworks. It is not a complete substitute for framework-specific compliance work, but it substantially reduces the scope of additional effort required.
Can ISO 27001 certification cover multiple legal entities?
Yes. The scope of an ISO 27001 ISMS can be defined to cover multiple entities within a group, though each entity's operations, risk profile, and controls must be addressed individually. Bitunix's engagement covered several separate legal entities under a single structured programme.
