Vadym Hrusha

I am Vadym Hrusha, an entrepreneur and programmer from Vinnytsia. I have worked in IT and fintech for more than 17 years, specializing in blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies.

I studied telecommunications at Vinnytsia Technical University and later qualified as a manager-economist. I began my career as a programmer, including work with international companies such as Bank of America and HSBC.

Since 2013, I have focused on studying blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Participation in professional communities and hackathons became my entry point into the industry. At one of those events, I met Kseniia Zhytomyrska, who later became Trustee's co-founder and CTO.

In 2016, we founded Trustee, one of the first Ukrainian crypto-financial services oriented toward the European market. Later, I focused on developing Trustee Plus, a crypto wallet with an integrated payment card that allows users to buy, sell, exchange, and store digital assets in one ecosystem.

Even before NFTs became popular, we implemented an Ethereum smart contract to sell tickets for the international BlockShow conference. It was one of the first examples of a decentralized ticketing service.

Today, Trustee Plus serves more than one million users worldwide and supports dozens of cryptocurrencies.

I am also actively involved in developing the IT community: speaking at professional conferences, participating in industry forums, and supporting educational initiatives. In particular, I cooperate with Vinnytsia National Technical University in technology education and innovation.

How did the business idea come to you?

The idea for the current product version emerged at the intersection of:

• technical expertise
• early interest in cryptocurrencies
• the understanding that digital assets must move from "for traders" into everyday use

The catalyst was the war, when families became separated and scattered across the world. Ukrainians forced to leave home needed a clear tool for everyday payments: without bureaucracy in a new country, without complicated rules, and without technical barriers. Trustee Plus became that tool, a crypto wallet with an integrated payment card.

What key skills helped you launch the business?

• technical thinking
• product approach
• system thinking
• leadership
• strategic vision
• understanding of the financial market

What were the three hardest challenges in the first years?

• launching during crisis and war
• regulatory issues
• building trust in the product

What crises did your business face and how did you overcome them?

• regulatory uncertainty
• wartime conditions
• instability of the crypto market

Which decisions were most effective for company growth?

• focus on real product utility
• a simple UX model
• a crypto card for everyday spending

Which mistake do you now consider your most valuable experience?

Betting on technology before mass simplicity of use.

How did you earn your first $100?

I sold apples in the summer.

How did you earn your first $1,000?

I organized a disco club.

How did you earn your first $10,000?

I launched a network of 4D cinemas.

How did you earn your first $100,000?

We wrote several smart contracts.

How did you earn your first $1,000,000?

I launched Trustee Wallet, one of the first products in the Trustee product line.

I can be useful through practical experience in blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and artificial intelligence. I have expertise in building and developing technology startups, from shaping an idea and strategy to implementing a product and scaling the business. I am ready to share knowledge about implementing innovative solutions, developing digital products, and navigating a dynamic technology environment.

Your experience: how to systematize a business?

• process building
• KPI
• team management
• product scaling
• operating system of the business

Your experience: how to grow 2x in a year?

• product growth
• retention
• strong use case
• scaling through partnerships