The Ethereum Security Initiative, also known as the 'Trillion Dollar Security Initiative' (1TS), is a major project launched by the Ethereum Foundation on May 14, 2025, aimed at significantly enhancing the security of the Ethereum network.
Objectives:
The main objectives of this initiative are:
* Enhancing Security for Mass Adoption: Making the Ethereum network secure enough for billions of individuals to safely hold significant value (over $1000) on-chain.
* Securing Institutional Assets: Ensuring the network's ability to reliably and securely support large organizations and institutions holding trillions of dollars within smart contracts or individual applications.
* Surpassing Legacy Systems: Establishing Ethereum as a foundational infrastructure for the internet and global economy, surpassing the integrity and reliability of traditional financial systems.
* Improving User Experience: Addressing security concerns related to user interactions, such as risky transaction approvals and front-end vulnerabilities.
* Enhancing Wallet Security: Addressing vulnerabilities in wallet firmware and supply chain risks.
* Ensuring Smart Contract Safety: Enhancing the security and reliability of smart contracts.
* Increasing Infrastructure Resilience: Strengthening the core infrastructure of the Ethereum network, including consensus mechanisms and internet routing.
* Enhancing Transparency: Improving communication regarding Ethereum's security standards, allowing users and developers to easily assess and compare its security posture.
Projects and Phases:
The initiative will be implemented in three strategic phases:
* Phase One: Security Planning (Risk Assessment): This involves a comprehensive review of the entire Ethereum technology stack to identify potential vulnerabilities and areas for improvement. This includes examining smart contract architecture, wallet user experience, consensus security, and vulnerabilities in Internet routing. Emerging threats such as blind signing, dependency-based attacks, and risks from staking centralization will also be assessed.
* Phase Two: Targeted Implementation: This phase focuses on implementing the findings derived from the initial assessment. This will include deploying technical solutions, raising developer awareness of security, investing in security infrastructure, and supporting research initiatives aimed at achieving long-term resilience for the ecosystem.
* Phase Three: Security Transparency (Communication): This phase will focus on developing ways for users and developers to assess Ethereum's security posture and compare it with other blockchains and traditional financial systems. The goal is to make Ethereum's security foundations clear and understandable for everyone.
Key Contributors:
The initiative is co-chaired by Frederik Svants, Head of Protocol Security at the Ethereum Foundation, and Josh Stark from the Foundation's management team. Key contributors also include prominent security experts such as:
* Samkzsen: Founder of the Security Alliance (SEAL) and advisor at Paradigm.
* Mehdi Zerwali: Co-founder and Managing Director of Sigma Prime.
* Zach Oberont: Co-founder of Etherealize and lead developer of OP Succinct.
The Ethereum Foundation will fund research and development and audits through the Ecosystem Support Program (ESP) to encourage widespread participation from the global research and development community.
