CryptoCTF: Gamifying Cryptocurrency Learning
As the popularity of cryptocurrencies keeps on rising, there is an increasing demand for education and training in this field. This is especially true for a top-notch multi-asset broker that deals with crypto. However, here’s the catch: how can you teach hundreds of people about cryptocurrencies in a way that’s both informative and engaging? In this article, we’d like to share our own firsthand experience of how we attempted to apply familiar strategies from the realm of information security to broader objectives.
Among those in the security community, it’s widely known that one of the best ways to learn something new is through good old-fashioned Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions. In these contests, participants hunt for and exploit vulnerabilities in a simulated environment. We had an idea to tweak this concept and tailor it specifically to cryptocurrencies, creating an exciting and interactive approach to educate people about this intricate subject, regardless of their prior experience with it.
But as always, there was a challenge: if the competition is too easy, the seasoned pros would breeze through it without breaking a sweat. On the other hand, if we set the bar too high, we risk scaring off folks with intimidating entry requirements. So, to ensure the contest was engaging for everyone, we came up with a nifty solution: we split the challenges into two tribes — technical and management.
The technical tribe was tailored for the engineers. It featured a range of tasks that delved into the nitty-gritty of cryptocurrencies, like transaction structures, protocol implementation, smart contracts, and all the intricate details of blockchain technology. Participants were tasked with writing their own custom redeem scripts, creating bridges between different chains, and even launching attacks on key derivation algorithms!
Now, let’s talk about the management tribe. Our aim here was to provide participants with a solid grasp of how cryptocurrencies actually work and how they can be integrated into everyday life. We wanted to keep it accessible to just about anyone, so we crafted challenges that focused on the business side of cryptocurrencies. This included tasks like managing wallets, transferring funds, and using blockchain explorers. By taking this approach, we ensured that the competition remained engaging for all employees, no matter their level of technical expertise.
We realized that there was a potential hurdle for those who had never dabbled in crypto before — they might get stuck on the initial challenges and end up missing out on the educational experience altogether. So, we came up with a plan to equip participants with the necessary information and resources to tackle the tasks.
To make this happen, we turned to an educational platform called Degreed, which was already in use within our company. Since most employees were already familiar with its functionality and interface, it made perfect sense. We created a special set of training materials, which is called “pathway”, specifically designed to help participants conquer the easier challenges. This pathway was particularly helpful for folks who were new to the crypto scene. Plus, we made sure to include references to additional learning materials for those who wanted to delve even deeper into the world of crypto and satisfy their curiosity.
To make our competition even more exciting, we came up with a clever achievement system. Participants could earn special rewards for completing hidden challenges. The twist was that some achievements were secret, and people were pleasantly surprised when they were recognized during the final ceremony. This unexpected recognition created a lot of intrigue and excitement among our employees. It was such a hit that we decided to include hidden achievements in future challenges and competitions. It’s a great way to highlight those who did something unique and added a special touch to the event.
We also asked the winners to write up their solutions for the challenges they cracked. These write-ups turned out to be super helpful guides for other employees who weren’t as familiar with the technical side of things. It fostered a real sense of community and teamwork because the winners got to share their knowledge and show off their expertise. Plus, it made it easier for everyone to grasp how the challenges worked, which made the whole experience more accessible and valuable for everyone involved.
Oh, and let’s not forget about the prizes we had in store! We went all out and offered some seriously cool stuff like cryptocurrencies (both coins and tokens), Ledger hardware wallets, and even NFTs featuring specially designed gifs with the competition logos. The prizes and rewards generated a ton of excitement, especially because each NFT coin that winners received had a physical counterpart. Yep, you heard it right — employees could actually “touch” their NFTs. It added an extra level of awesomeness to the whole experience!
Using a CTF competition to educate employees about complex subjects like cryptocurrencies is a fantastic way for companies to enhance their knowledge while also making learning fun and engaging. This approach can be tailored to fit the needs of any company, and it’s open to employees from all backgrounds and levels of technical know-how. If you’re thinking about organizing a similar event, just keep these three simple steps in mind:
- Choose a topic that’s both beneficial for the company and interesting for the employees. It’s a win-win situation that keeps everyone engaged.
- Foster participation and ensure that participants feel comfortable throughout the competition. Be ready to provide any assistance they may need along the way.
- Don’t forget about motivation. Extra incentives like memorable or valuable prizes can work wonders in boosting performance and turning the competition into an unforgettable experience.
All in all, Capture the Flag competitions offer an incredible opportunity to educate employees about cryptocurrencies or any other field. And with the right incentives, it becomes an exciting and rewarding adventure for everyone involved. Here at Exness, we’re always eager to try new things and make being part of the Exnessians family an absolute delight!
