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The Ethereum Foundation has introduced a $1 million subsidy program aimed at reducing the cost of security audits for developers building on Ethereum. This effort seeks to enhance security standards across the ecosystem by providing financial support and facilitating access to reputable audit firms.
New security initiative offers audit cost support
Through the Ethereum Security Subsidy Program, selected projects will receive up to 30% of their audit expenses covered. The foundation will allocate funds month by month, choosing new project groups through an application and review process.
The program is designed to support developers who are actively building on Ethereum and can demonstrate a solid technical foundation and commitment to innovation. To oversee the selection and review process, the foundation partnered with Areta, a digital asset advisory firm known for its audit marketplace connecting blockchain teams with reputable security auditors.
Areta, led by CEO Fin Boothroyd, has previously organized similar programs for other chains, including a $1 million audit support initiative for Solana. For the current Ethereum-focused program, Areta will facilitate connections to more than 20 audit providers and coordinate the evaluation of applications.
Chainlink, a prominent oracle network, and Nethermind, a major Ethereum client development company, will play advisory roles in evaluating applicants. Both organizations are recognized for their technical contributions to the blockchain industry.
The Ethereum Foundation described its intent to make security audits more accessible, explaining on X, “Security audits are a best practice, yet expensive. The subsidy program makes audits accessible and strengthens the Ethereum ecosystem.”
The program emphasizes projects aligned with CROPs principles—values including censorship resistance, open source development, privacy, and robust security. CROPs was highlighted in a recent foundation mandate as a foundational element for Ethereum development efforts.
Network of major audit firms joins the effort
Over 20 auditing companies will provide services through the Areta marketplace for this subsidy initiative. Among the participating firms are Blocksec, Certora, Hacken, Immunefi, and Quantstamp. All are known within the blockchain sector for their work in identifying and mitigating smart contract vulnerabilities.
Immunefi, for instance, operates one of the leading bug bounty platforms and recently received support from Anchorage Digital as part of its broader mission to improve blockchain security. This partnership with the Ethereum Foundation aims to reinforce the focus on developer safety during project launches.
Audit costs, which are often prohibitively high for early-stage teams, have presented an ongoing challenge to the growth and security of decentralized applications. With this initiative, the foundation hopes to engage projects with solid track records and a dedication to Ethereum’s long-term success.
Similar audit support efforts have emerged across the industry. For example, Aave Labs recently approved a $1.5 million subsidy to advance protocol security for its Aave V4 project, indicating a broader trend among leading protocols toward strengthening code audit practices.
The Ethereum Foundation, launched in 2014 and headquartered in Switzerland, serves as a nonprofit that supports the ongoing development and security of the Ethereum network. It is known for funding research, organizing developer grants, and driving ecosystem standards. Through this new subsidy, the foundation is deepening its commitment to protecting user funds and encouraging best practices among its developer community.