DEF’s June 2026 Recap
July 17, 2026
Below you’ll find a recap of what the DeFi Education Fund (DEF) was up to in June 2026. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about a specific activity, please do not hesitate to reach out to contact@defieducationfund.org.
Launching the Open Protocol Security Coalition (OPSeC)
On June 23, 2026, DEF 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’s first priority will be creating a central hub for free, publicly available on-chain security resources, as well as amplifying proven frameworks and best practices already in use across the industry.
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/.
Filing a Comment Letter on GENIUS Act Implementation
On June 9, 2026, DEF and the Solana Policy Institute (SPI) submitted a comment letter in response to proposed rulemaking by FinCEN and OFAC to implement anti-money laundering provisions of the GENIUS Act. The proposal would subject regulated stablecoin issuers—called permitted payment stablecoin issuers (PPSIs)—to the Bank Secrecy Act, requiring them to comply with anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and reporting obligations.
DEF and SPI’s comments focused on three core principles:
- Compliance obligations should fall on the entities with control over user funds and technical capability to implement BSA requirements;
- Preserve the GENIUS Act’s exclusion of peer-to-peer activity and non-custodial developers from BSA obligations; and
- Ensure secondary market BSA obligations are limited to PPSI-controlled activity.
You can read DEF’s full comment letter here.
DEF’s CCO Jenn Rosenthal Hosts Developer Panel at Solana Policy Institute’s Chicago Summit
On June 16, 2026, DEF’s Chief Communications Officer Jenn Rosenthal moderated a panel about building onchain infrastructure at the Solana Policy Institute’s Chicago Summit: Washington x Wall Street.
Jenn spoke with a panel of developers and entrepreneurs about how onchain innovations are redefining traditional finance, the current state of U.S. policy and its potential impact on innovating in the U.S., and what developers are thinking about related to future tech trends and innovations.
DEF’s Policy Lead Gavin Zavatone Launches Defend Developers PAC
On June 3, 2026, DEF Policy Lead Gavin Zavatone launched Defend Developers PAC (DDPAC), a new hybrid political action committee. As the first unaffiliated PAC dedicated exclusively to protecting developers and crypto builders, DDPAC will raise funds from both individuals and corporations. DDPAC aims to support congressional incumbents with a demonstrated record of supporting developers to help build a durable pro-developer legislative coalition in Congress.
You can learn more about the Defend Developers PAC here.
June Financial Disclosures
| Donations Received | $1,537,512.31 |
| Lobbyists | $45,000 |
| Public Relations | |
| Policy Litigation | $71,160.55 |
| Marcomm & Fundraising | $3,019.17 |
| Operating Expense | $380,476.20 |
June Content and Media by DEF
Select Media
- The Block: New DeFi Education Fund coalition seeks to harden crypto against cybersecurity threats
- The DeFi Education Fund is launching a cryptocurrency cybersecurity coalition as part of a wider effort to bolster its defense against bad actors across the blockchain.
- Bankless: DeFi Education Fund Launches Security Coalition OPSeC
- The DeFi Education Fund, alongside the Security Alliance (SEAL), and Asymmetric Research, launched the Open Protocol Security Coalition (OPSeC) on Tuesday, an effort to strengthen crypto cybersecurity practices and bring technical security expertise to lawmakers in Washington.
- Crypto in America:Exclusive: A New PAC Wants Congress to Protect Crypto Developers
- “For too long, developers building decentralized technologies have faced regulatory uncertainty and enforcement actions instead of clear rules and guidelines,” said Gavin Zavatone, founder of DDPAC and policy lead at the DeFi Education Fund, one of the crypto industry’s leading DeFi advocacy groups. “While legislation and rulemakings are being written as we speak, for some policymakers there is limited incentive to understand the fundamental nature of software development.”
Blogs/Articles/Papers
