This is my โI am still worthyโ moment.
Finally found a High Severity issue in a Blockchain/DLT bug bounty program on
@HackenProof .
It has been an incredibly tough journey for me.
In August 2024, After reaching all time #35 on the
@CodeHawks leaderboard. I felt like I had built a good foundation in auditing. I decided to take a short break from contests and prepare for an interview with a highly reputable firm that had reached out to me.
But after a few days of preparation, I realized something was off.
It started with brain fog and slowly turned into very strange neurological symptoms. My memory felt slower, had this constant gloomy feeling, weakness in my hands, and sometimes an electric-like sensation in my head. and symptoms worsened whenever I tried to sleep.
My health kept deteriorating, and with it, opportunities slowly slipped away. Around March 2025, after nearly 6 months of recovery, most neurological symptoms had improved, but I still could not sit continuously for 2 hours without discomfort. Yet, with limited strength, I chose to start again.
I applied to the
@pashov internship program because I wanted to work in a team, but unfortunately, I did not make it through.
That rejection was a reality check.
By mid-2024, I had made 5 figs from auditing and 4 figs from judging. A strong firm had reached out to me. And now, I was being rejected from an internship program.
I understood how brutally competitive this space is, and how constantly you need to prove yourself to stay in the game. Past results matter, but only for a while. What once looked like a very promising auditing journey felt completely derailed.
I decided to let go of my past achievements and start again like a beginner. Slowly, small results started showing up, and I even secured 3rd rank in one contest. But overall, It was a difficult year, as I was still in the recovery phase.
With only a few recent achievements, I reached out to several audit firms, hoping for a private audit opportunity. Most did not respond, but I truly appreciate
@DevDacian for always taking time to reply to my DMs politely and respectfully.
In 2026, I almost fully recovered. worked hard with full potential and deep-dived into bug bounties, faced a few duplicates, kept pushing, and eventually got this bounty.
After everything that happened, I needed this win more than I can explain.
It reminded me that setbacks can push you back, but you can always come back stronger.
The comeback has started.
My DMs are open for private audits, security reviews, and meaningful opportunities.