29 crypto firms recognized for adopting framework that protects white hats during live attacks
A growing number of crypto firms are backing the Security Alliance’s (SEAL) Safe Harbor framework, a system designed to give ethical hackers legal protection while defending user funds during active exploits.
The Safe Harbor initiative was born out of a $190 million bridge hack in 2022, when white hat hackers hesitated to act over fears of legal liability. According to SEAL’s co-leads, Dickson Wu and Robert MacWha, the framework has since provided a path for good-faith hackers to intervene confidently.
“Skilled whitehats who could stop the attack often hesitate due to legal uncertainty around ‘hacking’ the protocol they’re trying to save. Safe Harbor eliminates this fear by providing clear legal protection and prescribed steps,” Wu and MacWha explained.
SEAL honors Safe Harbor Champions 2025
In its first official recognition, SEAL named 29 companies supporting the agreement as part of the Safe Harbor Champions 2025 awards. The list includes Polymarket, Uniswap, a16z Crypto, Paradigm, Piper Alderman, Immunefi, and others.
Immunefi, a leading bug bounty platform, said its adoption of the framework has enabled 30 researchers to become millionaires while helping save more than $25 billion in customer funds. To date, over $120 million has been paid out to white hats under structured agreements.
White hats prove their impact
SEAL currently has 79 volunteer hackers on call. Notable interventions include the pseudonymous c0ffeebabe.eth, who in 2023 returned $5.4 million in Ether to Curve users and previously saved millions from other exploits. More recently, SEAL members coordinated during the September 2025 NPM supply chain attack, limiting losses to under $50 in the first 24 hours.
Samczsun, SEAL’s founder, praised the collective defense effort: “I’m very proud that SEAL worked quickly to triage and remediate the crypto aspects of the attack while developers neutralized the infection from the Web2 side.”
Supporters argue that Safe Harbor is shifting crypto from a ‘wild west’ reputation toward a more mature and coordinated industry. Ayham Jaabari of Silo Finance, one of the nominees, said the agreement reflects “the type of accountability expected by banks and regulators.”
Wu and MacWha added that the message to attackers is now clear: “The community is organized, coordinated, and prepared to respond rapidly — making exploits less profitable and riskier to attempt.”
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.