Code Audit
Blockchain Protocol Security Audit
Your shield against consensus faults, chain splits, and finality stalls. Our blockchain protocol security audit goes beyond surface checks to validate the assumptions that keep your network safe and live.
100+
audits
completed
$8.2B
in client assets protected
$183.2B
in transacted value secured
300+
crit / high issues found
Consolidated clients
Blockchain security company with
3+ years of expertise
At Three Sigma, we approach protocol audits with a combination of cryptographic expertise, distributed systems knowledge, and experience in identifying the subtle flaws that can cause catastrophic failures.
What is a Blockchain Protocol Security?
A blockchain protocol security audit is a deep, end-to-end review of the core components that make up your protocol. It goes beyond simple code scanning to assess the security of your consensus mechanism, transaction validation rules, cryptographic primitives, and network interactions. The goal is to detect vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, ensuring that your blockchain operates reliably under real-world conditions. At Three Sigma, we approach protocol audits with a combination of cryptographic expertise, distributed systems knowledge, and experience in identifying the subtle flaws that can cause catastrophic failures.
Why a Blockchain Protocol
Security Audit Matters
Blockchain protocols are the foundation of decentralized systems. If the protocol layer is compromised, every application and asset built on top of it is at risk. Even small implementation errors can lead to major exploits, consensus failures, or permanent forks. A professional protocol audit verifies that your system’s logic, communication flows, and cryptographic processes are correct, secure, and resistant to both known and emerging attack vectors. This is critical for any project launching its own chain, updating its consensus algorithm, or deploying significant protocol upgrades.
Our Approach to Blockchain Protocol Auditing
We begin by mapping your entire protocol architecture, including consensus rules, block validation logic, transaction handling, and governance mechanisms. Our review includes both on-chain and off-chain components that could affect protocol security.
We analyze the underlying codebase for logical errors, insecure assumptions, and deviations from formal specifications. Where possible, we apply formal verification techniques to prove the correctness of critical functions. Our testing phase simulates a variety of attack scenarios, from network-level DoS attempts to consensus manipulation strategies.
Common Issues Found in Blockchain Protocol Audit
Weak consensus participation
Low quorum or loose slashing lets small coalitions censor, halt, or influence the network’s state, undermining liveness and making stalls easier.
Misconfigured block validation & fork-choice
Incorrect header/tx checks or chain params cause chain splits or acceptance of invalid transactions, risking consensus divergence.
P2P networking exposure
Fragile peer selection, rate limits, or handshakes open nodes to DoS, Sybil, or eclipse attacks that isolate participants and skew their view of the chain.
Insecure or outdated cryptography
Legacy primitives or poor nonce/domain separation enable signature forgery or cross-domain transaction replay.
Governance & upgrade concentration
Admin keys held by too few parties, weak timelocks, or opaque processes allow risky upgrades or parameter abuse with little accountability.
In the last few years, blockchain protocol vulnerabilities drained billions of dollars of users’ funds, you can mitigate that outcome by building security into your protocol from the start, and going trough rigorous audits. These are a few of the recurring issues we keep uncovering in our security reviews:
Our Blockchain Protocol Audit Process
Scoping and Planning
We define the audit boundaries, identifying all relevant modules, network layers, and consensus parameters.
Research and Analysis
We study the protocol’s architecture, whitepaper, and documentation to understand intended behavior.
In-Depth Review
We conduct a thorough examination of code, configurations, and network interactions.
Testing and Simulation
We simulate attack scenarios, stress test consensus rules, and evaluate recovery mechanisms.
Reporting & Recommendations
We provide a detailed report with prioritized vulnerabilities and actionable fixes.
Verification
We re-test after fixes to confirm all vulnerabilities are properly addressed.
Hear from our Clients
Deliverables You Can Expect
Our blockchain protocol security audit delivers a comprehensive technical report that identifies vulnerabilities, rates their severity, and provides concrete remediation steps.
Post-audit support is included
We also offer follow-up support to help your team implement the fixes and verify their effectiveness. The result is a protocol that can withstand real-world threats and maintain long-term operational stability.
Frequent answers and questions
Check out the Blockchain Protocol Security Audit F.A.Q.
What is included in a blockchain protocol security audit?
The audit covers consensus rules, transaction validation logic, peer-to-peer communication, cryptographic primitives, governance mechanisms (see our DAO Audit), and upgrade procedures.
How long does a protocol audit take?
Depending on complexity, protocol audits typically take four to eight weeks, including remediation review; see our Code Audits for process details and expectations.
Who needs a blockchain protocol security audit?
Any team launching or upgrading a blockchain protocol, whether public or private, should undergo a security audit to prevent critical failures and should pair it with Mechanism Design Review and an Ecosystem Risk Assessment.
How much does a protocol audit cost?
Cost depends on the complexity and scope of the review. For scoping and partner selection considerations, see What is a Smart Contract Audit & Choosing a Partner. Larger, more intricate protocols require more resources to audit thoroughly.