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Offshore Development Center
We build your dedicated R&D team on a long-term basis, deliver results quickly and cost-effectively, and ensure full transparency on all costs.
Dedicated team for a blockchain security startup
By building an R&D team, we helped Shard X develop a cryptographic MPC library for blockchain, leading to the customer’s acquisition by a top global crypto exchange and custodian.
Industry
Blockchain security
Partnership
2018 - 2021
Team size
2
Table of contents
Customer’s feedback
Company overview
Shard X (acquired by Gemini) is a crypto custody startup specializing in secure multi-party computation (MPC). Founded in 2018, the company aimed to eliminate single points of failure in digital asset custody. Their MPC technology split private keys into shards, requiring multiple parties to authorize transactions enhancing security for institutional clients and blockchain platforms.
Project objectives
Shard X came to us to pioneer a multi-party computation library compatible with hardware security modules and wallets. To turn this vision into reality, they needed to hire engineers who could work with advanced cryptography and build highly secure software systems.
Our task
- Scale the team to develop the first-ever solution combining MPC with hardware security modules to position Shard X as a leader in blockchain security
- Build a dedicated engineering team from scratch, starting with a CTO who would lead research, design the architecture, and make critical technical decisions
Technology stack
- Frontend: React.js, WebAssembly
- Backend: Node.js, Rust, Blockchain, Ethereum
Our solution
To bring Shard X’s vision to life, we started by building the R&D team from scratch. Our first step was to hire a CTO with exceptional expertise in low-level and performance-critical systems and over 7 years of R&D experience who then set the technical direction, formed the team, and led the development of the cryptographic library.
Once the foundation was in place, we expanded the team by adding a full-stack developer to support implementation and further accelerate the development of the solution.
Technical approach
This was not a typical software project as it demanded a deep understanding of advanced cryptographic algorithms, secure systems programming, and the unique requirements of blockchain infrastructure.
Rust was chosen as the core programming language because of its strong guarantees around memory safety and its ability to prevent common vulnerabilities like buffer overflows and memory leaks.
To make the library portable and usable across different environments the team used WebAssembly. This allowed them to deliver high performance and security regardless of the deployment context. Node.js and React.js were used to build demo tools and integration interfaces, making it easier for clients to test and adopt the solution.
Back-office services covered
Beyond the above, we provided the customer with comprehensive operational support:
- Fully equipped office with parking, modern workstations, and meeting rooms
- Hardware plus allowance for additional equipment
- Payroll management
- Accounting and legal support
- Dedicated HR support for onboarding, retention, and employee well-being
- Competitive benefits package
Results
Over the course of three years, we set up a dedicated R&D team for Shard X in Poland. The product they developed was so compelling that just three months after launching the MVP, Shard X secured its first commercial deal.
The ultimate validation came in 2021, when Shard X's intellectual property and its entire team were acquired by Gemini, a leading U.S. cryptocurrency exchange. This acquisition was a direct testament to the quality of the product and the team we built. It enabled Gemini to bolster its institutional custody services, now securing over $30 billion in assets.
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Our services
Custom Software Development
We bring in extra engineering talent and give your software development an instant boost with ad-hoc expert support.
CTO as a Service
We provide an experienced fractional CTO to guide your early-stage startup, advise on technology strategy, and support you from roadmap to PoC, MVP, and beyond.
