MetaMask, Phantom, WalletConnect, and Backpack have teamed up with the Security Alliance (SEAL) to launch a global phishing defense network. This initiative comes in response to cryptocurrency scammers who stole more than $400 million in the first half of 2025, according to data from blockchain security firm CertiK.
The MetaMask team announced the collaboration, stating, "We’ve joined forces to launch a global phishing defense network that can protect more users across the entire ecosystem." SEAL described the effort as an endeavor to build a "decentralized immune system for crypto security," empowering individuals worldwide to help thwart major phishing attacks before they can spread.
How the Phishing Defense Network Operates
The newly established network connects several leading cryptocurrency wallets through SEAL’s recently announced “verifiable phishing reports” system. This system enables security researchers to confirm whether malicious websites are indeed hosting phishing content. This confirmation provides wallet providers with reliable evidence before they issue warnings to their users. In this setup, phishing reports submitted by users are automatically verified and then shared across all participating wallets. This process triggers real-time alerts to users without the need for any central approval authority.
SEAL explained the system's functionality: "Anyone with a valid report is able to trigger a phishing warning across network participants in real time and without any special permissions." The alliance believes this approach will significantly expedite response times and consequently save more users from financial losses due to online scams. SEAL further emphasized their goal: "We want to bring this data to as many wallets as possible."
Combating Evolving Scammer Tactics
This collaborative campaign specifically targets crypto “drainers,” a category of phishing operators who have refined their methods to evade detection. According to SEAL, these scammers are adept at quickly rotating landing pages when blocklists are updated, relocating their hosting infrastructure offshore, and employing cloaking tools to conceal their activities from automated scanners.
Ohm Shah, a security researcher at MetaMask, commented on the challenge, stating, "Drainers are a constant cat and mouse game." He highlighted how working with SEAL allows wallet teams to accelerate the application of their research findings, "effectively throwing a wrench at the drainer’s infra."
Phishing Remains a Primary Threat in Crypto
Phishing attacks continue to be the leading cause of crypto losses this year, representing the largest volume of security incidents globally, as detailed in CertiK's reports released in July. By uniting under the SEAL initiative, wallet providers are collectively aiming to make phishing a significantly more difficult endeavor for scammers to succeed in.