MetaMask Joins Wallets in Launching Global Network to Combat Phishing Threats

• Partnership Details: MetaMask, Phantom, WalletConnect, and Backpack collaborate with SEAL for a unified defense.

• Real-time alerts from user reports trigger warnings across all participating wallets, enhancing ecosystem-wide security.

• Phishing incidents led to $400 million in losses in early 2025, per CertiK data, underscoring the network’s urgency.

Discover how MetaMask’s global phishing defense network combats crypto scams, saving millions. Learn about SEAL’s role and real-time protections for wallets like Phantom—stay secure in 2025.

What is the Global Phishing Defense Network Launched by MetaMask?

The global phishing defense network is a collaborative initiative led by MetaMask and other major crypto wallets in partnership with the Security Alliance (SEAL) to combat phishing attacks in real time. Announced on Wednesday, it creates a decentralized immune system for crypto security, allowing users worldwide to submit and verify reports on malicious sites. This network integrates with SEAL’s verifiable phishing reports system, ensuring rapid deployment of protections across wallets like Phantom, WalletConnect, and Backpack.

How Does the Verifiable Phishing Reports System Work with This Network?

The verifiable phishing reports system, introduced by SEAL last week, allows security researchers to prove that malicious websites display phishing content as claimed by users. This tool operates alongside the new defense network, forming an end-to-end pipeline where reports are automatically validated and shared among participating wallets. For instance, once a valid report is submitted, it triggers immediate phishing warnings without requiring special permissions, reducing response times to emerging threats.

SEAL emphasizes that this approach enables quicker responses, potentially saving funds from the over $400 million stolen in phishing attacks during the first half of 2025, according to data from CertiK. By decentralizing the process, the network ensures broad coverage, making it harder for phishers to evade detection. Experts note that traditional defenses struggle with evolving tactics, such as rotating landing pages or using cloaking techniques, which this system directly addresses through community-driven verification.

“We’ve joined forces to launch a global phishing defense network that can protect more users across the entire ecosystem,” stated the MetaMask team. This collaboration highlights the importance of agility in crypto security, as explained by Ohm Shah, a security researcher at MetaMask: “Drainers are a constant cat and mouse game.” By applying research directly to wallet protections, the network throws obstacles at attackers’ infrastructure, including offshore hosting and rapid domain changes.

The Fight Against Crypto Drainers in the Phishing Defense Network

Crypto drainers represent a persistent threat, evolving tactics to bypass blocklists and automated scans. The global phishing defense network targets these by facilitating real-time intelligence sharing. For example, when infrastructure providers crack down, phishers pivot to new domains, but the network’s decentralized model allows for swift updates across wallets.

SEAL’s involvement ensures that the system is not siloed but interconnected, drawing on verified reports to build a robust defense. This is crucial given phishing’s role as the leading security incident type in early 2025, per CertiK reports. The partnership’s scale—encompassing major wallets—amplifies its impact, protecting a wider user base from financial losses.

Deploying the network on as many wallets as possible is a key goal, as SEAL noted: “Anyone with a valid report is able to trigger a phishing warning across network participants in real time.” This democratization of security empowers everyday users and researchers alike, fostering a proactive stance against threats that have cost the ecosystem dearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Wallets Are Involved in the MetaMask-Led Global Phishing Defense Network?

The network includes MetaMask, Phantom, WalletConnect, and Backpack, all partnering with the Security Alliance. This collaboration creates a unified front against phishing, enabling shared protections that cover a significant portion of the crypto wallet market and respond to threats like the $400 million in losses reported in early 2025 by CertiK.

How Can Users Contribute to Preventing Phishing Attacks via This Crypto Defense Network?

Users can submit reports on suspicious websites through the network’s interface, where they are verified using SEAL’s system and distributed in real time. This process, accessible without special permissions, helps activate warnings across participating wallets, making it simple for anyone to play a role in safeguarding the crypto ecosystem from ongoing threats.

Key Takeaways

• Collaborative Security: MetaMask’s partnership with Phantom and others via SEAL builds a decentralized immune system against phishing, verified by CertiK’s data on 2025 losses.
• Real-Time Protection: User reports trigger instant warnings, countering drainer tactics like cloaking and domain rotation for faster threat mitigation.
• Broad Impact: Expanding to more wallets enhances ecosystem resilience—users should stay vigilant and report suspicious activity to maximize safety.

Conclusion

The launch of the global phishing defense network by MetaMask and its partners marks a pivotal step in addressing the rising tide of crypto phishing attacks, which CertiK reports exceeded $400 million in thefts during the first half of 2025. By integrating verifiable reports and real-time sharing, this initiative, supported by SEAL’s expertise, strengthens defenses against sophisticated drainers and cloaking methods. As the crypto space evolves, adopting such collaborative tools will be essential for user protection—consider enabling wallet alerts today to stay ahead of potential risks.