In a significant advancement for Web3 security, Safeheron, a digital asset infrastructure provider based in Singapore, has unveiled an open-source Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) framework. This innovation aims to enhance security and privacy across various sectors within the Web3 ecosystem, including decentralized finance (DeFi), payment services, and decentralized autonomous organizations.
The TEE framework is noteworthy as it is the first to be built upon the native Intel SGX SDK and developed with modern C++, a prominent programming language recognized for its versatility in systems programming, game development, and high-performance computing.
In response to increasing industry concerns regarding closed, opaque systems—which have become prevalent in the face of rising security incidents—Safeheron opted to open-source this framework. As CEO Wade Wang articulated, “We’re not threatened by competitors; what worries us is slow innovation due to closed systems.” This sentiment underscores the company’s commitment to fostering innovation within the digital asset space.
A Trusted Execution Environment plays a critical role in safeguarding code and data by creating secure, isolated spaces within CPUs, known as enclaves. These enclaves protect programs from both external attacks and intrusions originating from within the hardware itself.
Various sectors within Web3 utilize TEEs, including privacy-focused blockchains, oracles, DeFi platforms, payment services, and exchanges. Notable networks employing TEEs include Oasis Network, Secret Network, and Phala Network, while companies like Chainlink are also believed to be utilizing this technology.
Safeheron’s new TEE framework empowers clients to utilize cloud services to create enclaves, extending its capabilities to any cloud service that supports Intel SGX servers. With a client roster exceeding 100—including prominent names such as MetaMask, Doo Group, and Amber Group—Safeheron has reported a cumulative transfer volume surpassing $100 billion.
In August 2022, the company successfully raised $7 million in pre-Series A funding, a capital influx aimed at enhancing research and development efforts alongside business expansion initiatives.
Moreover, Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, recently proposed integrating a TEE solution into the Ethereum ecosystem to bolster user privacy. This proposal entails allowing users to interact with Remote Procedure Call (RPC) nodes with enhanced assurances that their private data remains uncompromised. Additionally, Buterin advocated for incorporating privacy-preserving tools into Ether (ETH) wallets, where TEEs could serve as protective measures for private wallet keys.
TEEs also hold potential in addressing vulnerabilities, particularly in Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge (SNARKs). A recent study from Imperial College London highlighted significant threats posed by circuit layer vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for robust protective measures that TEEs can provide.
As Safeheron continues to pave the way in Web3 security solutions, the industry’s collective pursuit of open, transparent systems may find considerable support in their innovative TEE framework.
