DeFi Education Foundation Launches OPSeC, an “Open Protocol Security Coalition,” to Advance Cybersecurity Across Blockchain Ecosystem
June 23, 2026
New industry-wide initiative invites builders, investors, and security experts to join a pledge committing to ensure security is at the heart of onchain technology development
NEW YORK, June 23, 2026 — The DeFi Education Foundation (DEF) today announced the launch of the Open Protocol Security Coalition (OPSeC), a new industry-wide initiative convened in partnership with Security Alliance (SEAL) and Asymmetric Research to improve cybersecurity resilience across blockchain ecosystems and onchain software.
OPSeC will serve as a chain-agnostic cybersecurity resource repository and convening force, regularly bringing together leading security experts to share knowledge and tools. OPSeC will amplify cybersecurity best practices that are tailored to blockchain ecosystems and ensure teams are aware of the latest cybersecurity developments. OPSeC will also host educational events and bring in policymakers to the conversation so they can learn about the ways in which industry is prioritizing and implementing cybersecurity practices.
“Crypto’s long-term viability depends on excellent cybersecurity – both for people building software systems and for those using them. Thanks to SEAL, Asymmetric Research, and other cybersecurity experts, many high quality cybersecurity best practices and resources already exist. OPSeC is about amplifying access to these resources and bringing together industry experts so that we can ensure that security remains at the forefront of onchain software development and that teams of every size have access to excellent cybersecurity tools,” said Amanda Tuminelli, CEO and Chief Legal Officer of DeFi Education Fund. “The DEF team is honored to play a role in amplifying the amazing cybersecurity expertise that already exists, and we look forward to introducing policymakers to OPSeC team members and resources.”
It all starts with a pledge. For organizations that join OPSeC, the pledge means committing cybersecurity resources to the coalition effort by nominating team members to contribute, share best practices, flag existing public resources, and pilot new ideas. For builders, the pledge means making cybersecurity core to their product development process and protocol ethos. For investors, the pledge means committing to ensuring portfolio companies have a baseline of non-negotiable, excellent security practices.
“The security knowledge and tools this industry needs already exist, but what’s been missing is a clear path to get that expertise in front of policymakers. OPSeC gives SEAL a way to contribute our technical frameworks to a conversation that has historically lacked them. Better-informed policy is good for everyone building in this space,” said samczsun, founder & CEO of SEAL.
OPSeC’s first priority will be creating a central hub for free, publicly available cybersecurity resources, amplifying proven frameworks and best practices already in use across the industry. For example: SEAL Frameworks, an organized compilation of security resources and newly generated content; SEAL Certifications, an open-source operational security certification program for crypto protocols; and STRIDE, a security control framework developed by Asymmetric Research that provides a structured approach to evaluating the security posture of projects in the Solana ecosystem. The process of creating this central cybersecurity resource repository will also serve as an audit of available materials, helping OPSeC team members identify gaps so the coalition can consider the development of new tools, training, and educational resources. OPSeC will then identify and provide additional tools for cybersecurity best practices (e.g., audits, trainings, war games, and other ongoing measures) that protocol teams can use as a foundation for building and refining comprehensive security programs in-house.
“As technology evolves, so do the tactics of bad actors,” says Jonathan Claudius, CEO of Asymmetric Research. “OPSeC gets protocol teams, security firms, and ecosystem leaders working from the same playbook, around a shared commitment to cybersecurity, transparency, and collaboration.”
Blockchain ecosystem participants who share a desire to build a more secure onchain economy can learn more and pledge to join us at https://www.defieducationfund.org/opsecpledge/.
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About DeFi Education Foundation
Founded in 2025, DeFi Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to furthering DeFi Education Fund’s mission of educating lawmakers about DeFi, protecting software developers, and promoting sound DeFi policy. At DEF, we are working to build a mainstream understanding of decentralized finance, and to protect the rights of developers, users, and projects to freely create decentralized infrastructure and technology.
About Security Alliance (SEAL)
Security Alliance (SEAL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving operational security and systemic resilience across the digital asset ecosystem. SEAL operates as neutral security infrastructure for the industry, coordinating incident response, threat intelligence sharing, operational security standards, and responsible disclosure protections.
About Asymmetric Research
Asymmetric Research (AR) is a specialized security firm focused on long-term, integrated partnerships with L1/L2 blockchains and DeFi protocols. Its core work spans key web3 domains including research, incident response, engineering, infrastructure services and physical security. AR helps teams build resilient systems, strengthen security posture, and proactively address emerging threats.
