CertiK's Cloud Infrastructure Migration

Blockchain security company CertiK has transferred its cloud infrastructure operations in Asia to a subsidiary of the Chinese e-commerce powerhouse, Alibaba. This strategic move involves hosting CertiK's suite of 12 blockchain applications on the Alibaba Cloud platform, tapping into its resources to offer Web3 services.

CertiK's decision to leverage Alibaba's centralized cloud infrastructure is aimed at creating a secure environment for blockchain developers to build and deploy Web3 applications. Ronghui Gu, co-founder of CertiK, expressed the company's dedication to empowering developers by enabling secure blockchain development through Alibaba Cloud's infrastructure.

Partnership with Alibaba Cloud

The collaboration between CertiK and Alibaba Cloud commenced in May 2023 when CertiK introduced its security suite to Alibaba Cloud's Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) platform. This partnership allowed CertiK's developers to conduct code reviews, risk assessments, identity verification, and background checks on Alibaba's cloud infrastructure.

Initially, CertiK integrated its smart contract auditing and layer 1 blockchain auditing services on Alibaba Cloud, with plans to introduce penetration testing and CertiK's Skynet due diligence tool.

Integration with Avalanche Blockchain

Alibaba Cloud's integration with the Avalanche blockchain for Node-as-a-Service initiatives marked a significant step forward. This integration enabled Avalanche developers to launch new validator nodes using Alibaba's cloud infrastructure, particularly beneficial for handling high resource demands during peak hours.

Chinese Entrepreneurship and AI Ventures

In addition to technical advancements in blockchain and Web3 applications, there is a strong focus on artificial intelligence (AI) in China. Several Chinese startups specializing in generative AI have surpassed the $1 billion valuation mark, entering a competitive landscape alongside notable players like OpenAI. Key AI-focused companies include Zhipu AI, Moonshot AI, MiniMax, and 01.ai, supported by local investors as they seek to expand their AI product development teams.

Furthermore, Alibaba's payment subsidiary, Alipay, recently introduced an AI feature on its payments app to help users identify early signs of hair loss. Through image recognition technology trained on medically relevant images, users can upload pictures of their scalps for analysis. The AI-powered feature offers suggestions and, when necessary, recommends medical intervention.

In summary, CertiK's migration to Alibaba's cloud subsidiary, alongside advancements in AI technology within China's entrepreneurial landscape, highlights the ongoing evolution and integration of cutting-edge technologies in the region.