what's security alliance (seal)?
Security Alliance (SEAL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing security in the Web3 ecosystem by fostering collaboration between blockchain protocols and ethical hackers. Founded by leading security researchers, SEAL addresses critical vulnerabilities in decentralized finance and other crypto applications through innovative frameworks and tools. Their work emphasizes proactive measures to protect user funds and infrastructure from exploits, promoting a safer environment for the broader crypto community. At the core of SEAL's initiatives is the Whitehat Safe Harbor Agreement, a legal framework that grants whitehat hackers immunity from prosecution when they intervene during active exploits to recover stolen assets. This agreement incentivizes rapid response actions, allowing ethical hackers to act decisively without fear of legal repercussions. Adopted by numerous protocols representing billions in total value locked, it has facilitated the recovery of significant funds and set a standard for ethical hacking in blockchain security. SEAL also develops open-source tools and provides educational resources to combat threats like phishing and state-sponsored attacks. By bridging the gap between technology, law, and community efforts, SEAL aims to build resilient systems that can withstand evolving cyber threats in the decentralized world.
SEAL responders aided GIV token recovery on Polygon after a phishing attack via a malicious Guild.xyz site.
Links
x.com/_seal_orgLaunched Safe Harbor v3.0 on February 12, 2026, the third major revision of the protocol's white hat security framework.
Received first donation from thedaofund via continuous streams facilitated by Superfluid.
SEAL front line responders (pcaversaccio, tanuki42_, Josh, and Nick B) provide support for recovery efforts following a phishing attack where a user lost GIV tokens on Polygon through a malicious Guild.xyz copycat site.
Ethena joins SEAL's pilot program for operational security certifications.
SEAL works overnight with DromosLabs and 0xGroomLake to mitigate an ongoing security incident, preventing more severe damage.
SEAL launches SEAL Certifications, a new service that certifies teams for operational security practices rather than smart contract code audits.
SEAL coordinates with CertoraInc and Balancer team to execute whitehat recovery securing approximately $4.1M from vulnerable Balancer V2 meta-stable pools across multiple chains including Mainnet, Optimism, and Arbitrum.
White hat and war room efforts successfully lower the total impact of a recent hack, with Safe Harbor program mentioned as contributing to faster response times.
SEAL recognizes Cointelegraph for their efforts in amplifying white hat security researchers and enabling them to share findings with crypto projects.
SEAL partners with a wallet provider to bring real-time phishing protection to wallet users.
Cove_fi adopts WhiteHat Safe Harbor, enabling ethical hackers to protect user funds, and supports verification across 100+ blockchain networks.