Key Takeaways:

• The Solana Foundation and Asymmetric Research launched STRIDE on April 6, 2026, a tiered DeFi security program covering all protocols.
• Protocols exceeding $10M TVL qualify for foundation-funded 24/7 monitoring, while those above $100M TVL receive formal verification.
• The new Solana Incident Response Network (SIRN) unites five founding firms, including OtterSec and Neodyme, for real-time crisis coordination.

Solana Foundation Debuts STRIDE to Protect DeFi Protocols With Tiered Security

The program, which stands for Solana Trust, Resilience and Infrastructure for DeFi Enterprises, moves away from the traditional model of one-off audits and replaces it with continuous, foundation-funded protection scaled to each protocol’s size and risk profile.

STRIDE is structured around eight security pillars covering operational security, access controls, multisig configurations, and governance vulnerabilities. Asymmetric Research conducts hands-on assessments of participating protocols and publishes findings in a public repository, giving users and investors direct visibility into each protocol’s security standing.

All Solana DeFi protocols are eligible to apply. Every participating project receives an independent evaluation and a published report regardless of size.

The announcement explains that protocols that pass the STRIDE evaluation and hold more than $10 million in total value locked (TVL) qualify for foundation-funded 24/7 operational security support and real-time threat monitoring. The monitoring is calibrated to risk, meaning higher-value protocols receive more intensive coverage aimed at catching suspicious activity before it escalates.

For the largest protocols, those managing more than $100 million in TVL, the Solana Foundation funds formal verification. This method uses mathematical proofs to check every possible execution path in a smart contract, eliminating entire classes of vulnerabilities that standard audits can miss.

STRIDE version 0.1 is live now and is expected to evolve as real-world assessments provide feedback.

Alongside STRIDE, the foundation launched the Solana Incident Response Network, known as SIRN, a coalition of security firms dedicated to real-time crisis response across the ecosystem. Founding members include Asymmetric Research, OtterSec, Neodyme, Squads, and Zeroshadow. SIRN is open to all Solana protocols, with response prioritized by TVL and potential impact.

The program builds on existing no-cost tools the Solana Foundation has already deployed, including Hypernative for ecosystem-wide threat detection, Range Security for real-time risk alerting, Riverguard by Neodyme for attack simulation, Sec3 X-Ray for static analysis, and Auditware Radar for template-based issue detection.

Drift Protocol Hack 2026: What Happened, Who Lost Money, and What’s Next

A Solana-based perpetual futures exchange lost $286 million in 12 minutes on April 1, 2026, after attackers spent three weeks…

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Drift Protocol Hack 2026: What Happened, Who Lost Money, and What’s Next

A Solana-based perpetual futures exchange lost $286 million in 12 minutes on April 1, 2026, after attackers spent three weeks…

Read Now

Drift Protocol Hack 2026: What Happened, Who Lost Money, and What’s Next

Read Now

A Solana-based perpetual futures exchange lost $286 million in 12 minutes on April 1, 2026, after attackers spent three weeks…

Projects like Squads Multisig, Kamino, and Jupiter Lend have already set high internal security standards, with ten or more audits across some protocols. STRIDE is designed to extend comparable protections to teams that lack the resources to fund that level of coverage independently.

The Solana Foundation also participates in the Crypto Defenders Alliance for cross-industry fraud prevention, and STRIDE adds a Solana-specific layer on top of those broader efforts. The initiative follows the recent $286 million Drift Protocol hack, which was the largest DeFi breach so far in 2026.

Drift Protocol is the largest perpetuals exchange on Solana and it saw its TVL slide from $550 million to the current $234 million. The project’s token, DRIFT, as of 6:30 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, is down more than 37% over the last seven days. DRIFT is 98.5% below the crypto asset’s all-time high of $2.60 logged in November 2024.

Cryptocurrency analytics company Santiment shared some noteworthy data regarding profitability on the Bitcoin network.

According to the company’s latest report, the ratio of profitable to losing Bitcoin trades rose to 2.95 to 1 last weekend.

This metric is calculated based on the difference between the price of a Bitcoin at the time of transfer and the price at which it was purchased. This ratio reveals the extent to which investors are profitable under current market conditions, while also offering important clues about market sentiment.

According to Santiment data, this ratio historically approaching the 3.0 level is generally considered a signal indicating a short-term price peak. Analysts point out that during such periods when a large portion of investors are in profit, selling pressure may increase, which could have a downward impact on the price.

Market experts emphasize that this data alone should not be seen as a definitive bearish signal, and that evaluating it in conjunction with other technical and on-chain indicators will yield healthier results. However, it is stated that the current ratio level indicates that investors should exercise caution.

While Bitcoin’s price has shown strong performance recently, investors’ tendency to take profits could be decisive in determining the market’s direction. According to experts, changes in on-chain data and transaction volume in the coming days will provide a clearer picture of price movements.

*This is not investment advice.

This Week in Crypto Law

The opinion editorial below was written by Alex Forehand and Michael Handelsman for Kelman.Law.

The final week of March delivered a series of pivotal legal and regulatory developments bridging traditional finance and digital assets. From tokenized securities trading in the United States to global enforcement actions and jurisdictional battles, regulators are increasingly asserting control while also enabling new market structures

SEC Approves Nasdaq Plan for Tokenized Securities Trading

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved a proposal by Nasdaq to facilitate trading of certain equities and ETFs in tokenized form. This move represents a significant step toward integrating blockchain infrastructure into traditional securities markets, allowing tokenized representations of assets to trade alongside conventional instruments. The approval signals growing regulatory acceptance of blockchain-based settlement systems and could accelerate adoption of tokenization across mainstream financial markets.

Hong Kong Tightens Crypto Licensing Regime

Hong Kong has intensified its crypto licensing requirements, warning exchanges that failure to obtain proper authorization could result in enforcement action as the transition period ends. The shift reflects a broader regulatory evolution—from early-stage openness to strict compliance enforcement. While some firms may exit the market, others may view this as a necessary step toward institutional credibility and long-term adoption.

Nigeria Charges Binance Executives with Tax Evasion

Nigeria has filed tax evasion charges against executives of Binance, escalating its efforts to regulate crypto activity within its borders. The case presents a major test of how far national governments can extend jurisdiction over global crypto platforms and their personnel, particularly in emerging markets.

Scrutiny Mounts After SEC Enforcement Chief Resigns

U.S. lawmakers are seeking answers following the abrupt resignation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement director. The departure has raised concerns about potential political influence over enforcement priorities, including those related to crypto markets. Leadership changes at key regulatory agencies can significantly impact enforcement strategy, creating uncertainty for market participants navigating compliance obligations.

Department of Labor Opens Door to Crypto in 401(k) Plans

The U.S. Department of Labor proposed new guidance that could allow crypto assets to be included in 401(k) retirement plans. The proposal would permit plan fiduciaries to allocate to crypto alongside other alternative investments, such as private equity. This marks a potential turning point for mainstream adoption—but also raises complex legal questions regarding fiduciary duties, risk disclosures, and investor protection in retirement accounts.

U.S. Government Challenges State Regulation of Prediction Markets

The U.S. government has filed lawsuits against multiple states, asserting that only the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has authority to regulate prediction markets. The dispute centers on whether event-based trading platforms should be regulated as gambling under state law or as derivatives under federal law. This is a critical jurisdictional battle that could determine how emerging digital trading platforms—such as prediction markets—are regulated in the United States.

Staying informed and compliant in this evolving landscape is more critical than ever. Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, or business involved in cryptocurrency, our team is here to help. We provide the legal counsel needed to navigate these exciting developments. If you believe we can assist, schedule a consultation here.

This Week in Crypto Archive:

This Week in Crypto Law (Mar. 22, 2026)

This Week in Crypto Law (Mar. 15, 2026)

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