Ethereum Foundation Subsidies Reduce Smart Contract Audit Costs for Mainnet Builders

Ethereum mainnet builders can now reduce their security audit costs by up to 30%. The Ethereum Security Subsidy Program, launched April 14, 2026, provides a $1 million pool of funds to cover these expenses.

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cryptocurrency regulation

XRP Ledger’s built-in DEX sidesteps broker rules as SEC eases interface registration

Developers building wallets, trading interfaces, or aggregators on the XRP Ledger can launch services faster with reduced regulatory burden and without complex back-end systems. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued guidance stating that certain cryptocurrency trading interface providers may not need to register as broker-dealers if they do not hold user assets or execute trades. The guidance applies to 'covered user interfaces' such as trading apps or wallet connection services that only provide access to trading functionality without custody or execution. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) has a decentralized exchange (DEX) built into its protocol, handling trade execution, order matching, and cross-currency routing at the protocol level. On XRPL, interface providers can connect to the shared liquidity layer without building proprietary exchange infrastructure or taking custody of assets. Because XRPL interfaces do not hold user funds or execute trades, they may fall outside the SEC’s broker-dealer registration requirement under the new guidance. Users gain access to decentralized markets with less reliance on intermediaries, increasing efficiency and reducing counterparty risk. The SEC’s guidance is temporary and subject to change within five years, but currently creates regulatory clarity that lowers barriers for service providers. The structural alignment of XRPL’s DeFi ecosystem with the SEC’s criteria positions it as a network where compliant innovation can accelerate despite broader regulatory uncertainty.

Eligible teams apply through the Areta platform, where they can request quotes from more than ten providers. The program is a joint effort between the Ethereum Foundation, Areta, Nethermind, and Chainlink Labs, with more than 20 audit firms including Certora, Zellic, and Immunefi participating through the Areta marketplace.

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cybersecurity

Kraken Refuses Ransom to Protect 2,000 Accounts from Insider Leaks

Two thousand Kraken clients face the risk of their private data being leaked on social media. The exposure occurred after two support employees were recruited by a cybercrime group to gain improper access to internal systems. These employees recorded videos of internal systems containing client support data for 2,000 accounts, or 0.02% of the user base. The breach occurred during two incidents between February 2025 and early this year. Kraken revoked employee access and strengthened controls following a tip in February 2025. A criminal group subsequently threatened to release videos of internal systems to media outlets and social media unless demands were met. Kraken refused to pay or negotiate with the ransom demands. 2,000 clients face the risk of their private data being leaked on social media.

All Ethereum mainnet builders are eligible regardless of project size or funding stage, though priority is given to projects following CROPS principles—Censorship Resistance, Open Source, Privacy, and Security. Subsidies are distributed on a first-come basis until the $1 million pool is exhausted.

Related Brief1d ago

venture capital

Kraken’s $13.3 Billion Valuation Reveals a 33% Markdown in Exchange Pricing

Kraken is now valued at $13.3 billion, a 33% markdown from the $20 billion valuation the exchange commanded during its November 2024 funding round. This figure was established by Deutsche Börse Group's $200 million investment in Payward Inc., Kraken's parent company. The transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026 subject to regulatory approval, gives the Frankfurt-based stock exchange operator a 1.5% fully diluted ownership stake via a secondary market transaction. The investment cements a commercial partnership first announced in December 2025 to build a hybrid market infrastructure for traditional and tokenized assets. Kraken had originally planned a public listing for 2026, but the company has suspended those plans indefinitely, citing unfavorable market conditions.

Related Brief6h ago

cryptocurrency regulation

XRP Ledger’s built-in DEX sidesteps broker rules as SEC eases interface registration

Related Brief9h ago

cybersecurity

Kraken Refuses Ransom to Protect 2,000 Accounts from Insider Leaks

Related Brief1d ago

venture capital

Kraken’s $13.3 Billion Valuation Reveals a 33% Markdown in Exchange Pricing

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